Submission on the Bankstown Airport Preliminary Draft Master Plan December 2009
Contact Brendan Lyon Executive Director Infrastructure Partnerships Australia P 02 9240 2050 E brendan.lyon@infrastructure.org.au Larry McGrath Manager, Transport Policy Infrastructure Partnerships Australia P 02 9240 2056 E larry.mcgrath@infrastructure.org.au 1
Introduction Infrastructure Partnerships Australia (IPA) is the nation s peak infrastructure body. Our focus is to advocate the best solutions to Australia s infrastructure challenges, equipping the nation with the assets and services we need to secure enduring and strong economic growth and importantly, to meet national social objectives. Infrastructure is about more than balance sheets and building sites. Infrastructure is the key to how Australia does business, how we meet the needs of a prosperous economy and growing population and how we sustain a cohesive and inclusive society. Infrastructure Partnerships Australia seeks to ensure governments have the maximum choice of options to procure key infrastructure. We believe that the use of public or private finance should be assessed on a case-by-case basis. IPA also recognises the enhanced innovation and cost discipline that private sector project management and finance can deliver, especially with large and complex projects. Our Membership is comprised of the most senior industry leaders across the spectrum of the infrastructure sector, including financiers, constructors, operators and advisors. Importantly, a significant portion of our Membership is comprised of government agencies. IPA is pleased to provide comment on the Preliminary Draft Master Plan (PDMP) for Bankstown Airport, which the Australian infrastructure sector supports. Comments on the Master Plan The Preliminary Draft Master Plan (PDMP) for Bankstown Airport is a thorough and carefully considered guiding document which will stand Bankstown in good stead for the next 20 years, underpinning economic growth and productivity in Western Sydney. Australia s ports and airports are the economic gateways of our nation, providing transport opportunities both domestically and internationally. Bankstown Airport is an important and rapidly burgeoning precinct which is an increasingly significant part of Australia s domestic transport network. Growth at Bankstown Airport must be facilitated in an active way as it is an essential part of Sydney s aviation mix. Bankstown airport plays an important role in its multi-use aviation facilities, however it does not yet provide for scheduled passenger services. The PDMP proposal to introduce small scheduled passenger transport services is a welcome development, and could provide excellent links between Western Sydney and other regional destinations. One in ten Australians now reside in Western Sydney, meaning there would be a wider interest served in allowing regular niche passenger services at Bankstown. Direct passenger services from Bankstown Airport would also provide growth for the tourism market in Western Sydney, boosting economic productivity. Corporate and parcel freight will play a larger role at Bankstown Airport, and IPA is pleased to see the PDMP seeking to grow this market, leveraging Bankstown s critical geographical 2
location at the heart of Sydney. Bankstown Airport has a strong future as a domestic air freight hub for Western Sydney. The proposed future plan for Bankstown Airport is an appropriate growth strategy for the hub, as it balances the impact of aircraft noise on residents and business, while ensures that Bankstown Airport will continue to be a major contributor to economic productivity in Greater Sydney. The PDMP stipulation that aircraft no larger than Code 3C will be operating passenger services should deliver certainty to the community that aircraft noise will not be a major issue in the future, should regular passenger services proceed. Bankstown is not the answer to Sydney s second airport search, but it should form a critical component for niche services. It is clear that the PDMP for Bankstown Airport effectively identifies methods to manage aircraft noise, generate local employment and wider benefits, provide improved facilities for aviation and non-aviation business, and provide efficient landside development to improve local amenity and reduce congestion. Concluding Remarks The Preliminary Draft Master Plan (PDMP) for Bankstown Airport is a thorough and carefully considered guiding document which will stand Bankstown in good stead for the next 20 years, underpinning economic growth and productivity in Western Sydney. Infrastructure Partnerships Australia, the nation s peak infrastructure association, supports the draft Bankstown Airport PDMP. One in ten people now live in Western Sydney, and the proposal to offer small, regular passenger services to and from Bankstown Airport is a welcome one, and is supported by the infrastructure sector. Should you wish to discuss any aspect of this submission, please contact Mr Larry McGrath, Transport Policy Manager on (02) 9240 2056 or larry.mcgrath@infrastructure.org.au anytime. 3
Infrastructure Partnerships Australia 8 th Floor, 8-10 Loftus Street, Sydney NSW 2000 T 02 9240 2050 F 02 9240 2055 E policy@infrastructure.org.au W www.infrastructure.org.au