Sydney Metro Airport Bankstown has announced that it has gained approval from Federal Minister for Transport Anthony Albanese to lodge a new revised draft masterplan by February 15 2013, as the airport looks to assess the impact of future developments in the Sydney Basin.
The announcement follows on from Albanese’s initial rejection of Bankstown Airport’s 2010 draft masterplan. This led the airport to request lodging a revised draft masterplan in two years, according to Sydney Metro Airport Bankstown CEO Colin Grove. “There were several reasons why we sought a longer extension period, one of the most important being the impact the future release of the Sydney Basin Aviation Capacity Study may have on the final contents of the revised Bankstown Airport draft masterplan, particularly in respect of any future passenger services. Therefore, we believe it is imperative that the results of the study need to be considered in the revised document to be submitted to the Minister for approval,” Grove said.
“Also the airport needs significant time to prepare revised Australian Noise Exposure Forecasts (ANEF) which will require third party regulatory endorsement and there may also be a need to include an airspace management study.
“As the process is quite extensive planning has already commenced for the preparation of the preliminary version of the draft masterplan.”
Grove said that while the 2013 plan was in development, the current 2005 Master Plan remains in force as an interim measure.
“This document supplies guidelines for matters relating to land use, aviation capacity, environment, noise forecasts, passenger services, surface transport, runway extensions and many other regulatory issues.
“We will notify the community and interested stakeholders in the coming months of the consultation schedule,” concluded Grove.
