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New Sydney airport should be in Canberra: O'Farrell

February 16, 2012

NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell has dismissed a renewed call for a second Sydney airport, saying Canberra Airport should instead be linked to Sydney by fast train.

A yet-to-be tabled report commissioned by the federal government is set to recommend a second airport be developed in Sydney's greater west, possibly at Badgerys Creek or the Nepean area, News Ltd has reported.

Managing director of Canberra Airport Stephen Byron said he never expected Canberra to be named as Sydney's second airport. He also suspected there would never be a second Sydney airport because of the community's opposition to aircraft noise. ''We believe we can play a greater role as an overflow airport for Sydney, not a second airport, if they build a train,'' Mr Byron said.

''We strongly think one of our overflow roles is freight and that our role is of the 24 hour capability.''

The report will also call for an increase in aircraft movements and the lifting of the 11pm to 6am curfew at Sydney Airport.

But Mr O'Farrell ruled out supporting a second airport in the Sydney basin. ''If you want to have greater flights into this city, do so as happens overseas, by using an adjacent airport and link the two by fast rail,'' he said yesterday.

''This is an endless debate that comes out from time to time. The fact is that no other part of Sydney is going to be contaminated by the sort of noise that is connected with an airport.''

Federal Transport Minister Anthony Albanese reiterated his belief yesterday that Sydney needs a second airport but said it would not be at Badgerys Creek. AAP

14 comments

  • Why is this an endless pipedream? Canberra Airport should be linked to Sydney by fast train.

    But then again, will the pollies take the train? maybe they could be compelled to.

    Commenter
    Jimbo
    Location
    Kingston
    Date and time
    February 16, 2012, 7:23AM

    • A fast train between Melbourne and Sydney, via Canberra Airport sounds like a great solution. Reduce domestic air travel between the 3 cities and allow more international flights to use Canberra and Melbourne, taking the pressure off Sydney

      Commenter
      Bob-Dog
      Location
      Australia
      Date and time
      February 16, 2012, 3:26PM

  • Here we go again fast train to nowhere! Stop talking about it and just get it done.

    Commenter
    Typical
    Location
    Date and time
    February 16, 2012, 8:23AM

  • That would be a NO from me. Let Sydney keep their aircrafts.

    Commenter
    k.marshall
    Location
    nsw
    Date and time
    February 16, 2012, 9:25AM

  • @ Kingston - you are correct, it is never going to happen

    Commenter
    Irene
    Location
    Casino
    Date and time
    February 16, 2012, 10:14AM

  • It would make sense for Canberra to take the over flow from Sydney, as there has been major upgrades to the Canberra airport. Secondly, having travelled on a bullet train in Japan, I believe it's better then a plane. The pollies have been talking about a 'fast train' for years and as of yet, not delivered. It's about time this plan swung into action. In my opinion, it would be good for the economy, tourism, employment and freight. The longer we leave it the more it will cost, we need to act now to help our economy and retail sector.

    Commenter
    Jippo13
    Location
    Canberra
    Date and time
    February 16, 2012, 10:29AM

  • Pfah. I joined the Dept of Aviation in 1986 and they were talking about a second Sydney Airport at Badgery's Creek even then. It's never going to happen.

    Commenter
    YS
    Location
    Date and time
    February 16, 2012, 10:33AM

  • That Mr O'Farrell wants to move Sydney Airport noise to Canberra should be of concern to all people who live in the ACT, and surrounding areas of NSW. Unlike Sydney, we have no curfew. Flights will increase, and they will fly over all areas, not the narrow corridor they're kept to currently. People living to the east and north of Canberra already know that flights after midnight are increasing. Soon, everyone will know.

    Commenter
    ant
    Location
    NSW
    Date and time
    February 16, 2012, 11:05AM

  • They are thinking about this the wrong way. If there was high speed rail between Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne then nobody would need to become an overflow airport for anybody else. Moving just 20% of domestic air travel to high speed rail would mean Sydney would not need a second airport for another 100 years. It's not rocket science. It works over similar distances in Europe and Japan. Population is not an issue, the issue is the number of passengers. Sydney - Melbourne is the 4th busiest air route in the world.

    Commenter
    Meanwhile
    Location
    in the real world
    Date and time
    February 16, 2012, 11:43AM

  • This would be fantastiqe, the drag racers of the region could lease the airstrip from the Federal Government on a Saturday evening or Sunday and again enjoy their chosen sport the Liberal government took away and the Labor government who failed to honour their guaranteed commitment.

    Commenter
    OLDDOG
    Location
    Date and time
    February 16, 2012, 12:31PM

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Canberra is not the ideal location for a second airport. North of Sydney has a much ... 

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