Western Sydney Airport - Frequently Asked Questions

Details: Written by: Adam Gatt; Published: 03 January 2019; Last Updated: 08 February 2024

Do you have a document outlining Council's position on the airport?

Western Sydney Airport - Maximising benefits and minimising impacts defines our position on the airport and sets out a clear and concise program of advocacy which the community can be assured we will focus on. Our campaign around these issues is wide reaching and includes direct contact with decision makers and politicians. For maximum impact, we need the community speaking with the same voice.

What about the environment?

The Federal Government released a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for public comment in October 2015. Nearly 5000 submissions were received, including Council’s own submission. In response to the submissions, the Federal Government revised the EIS and in September 2016, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Minister for Urban Infrastructure, announced the finalisation of the Western Sydney Airport EIS, which was presented to the Hon Josh Frydenberg MP, Minister for the Environment and Energy.

In November 2016, the Environment Minister issued the environmental conditions for the airport. In December 2016, the Airport Plan was finalised, authorising the construction and operation of Stage 1 of the airport (a single runway facility catering for up to 10 million passengers). The Airport Plan contains the environmental conditions that must be complied with, including implementation of the mitigation measures detailed in the EIS.

Council is also represented on the Biodiversity Experts Group, established to provide technical advice on the development of a Biodiversity Offset Delivery Plan for Western Sydney Airport.

How did Council respond to the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)?

Download our submission in response to the Environmental Impact Statement. Council also wrote to the relevant Federal ministers requesting a minimum 90 day period for the community and stakeholders to respond to the draft EIS but was unsuccessful. Council partnered with other affected councils to fund a thorough independent evaluation of the EIS, overseen by Western Sydney Region Organisation of Councils (WSROC) and Macarthur Regional Organisation of Councils (MACROC).

How is Council working to minimise noise impacts of the airport?

The noise impacts on our community must be minimised. Council has made its position on noise associated with airport operations clearly, to both State and Federal Governments. In our submission to the Federal Government's Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), Council called for more equitable distribution of the noise impacts of aircraft movements and, in particular, consideration given to alternative flight paths and merge points, noise sharing to limit noise exposure for any single community, and changes to the Sydney Airports Curfew Act to ensure it applies to both Sydney's Kingsford Smith Airport and Western Sydney Airport.

Penrith Mayor Ross Fowler OAM is a member of the Forum On Western Sydney Airport (FOWSA) ensuring the voice of Council and our community will be heard on the planning of the airport and surrounding areas, including flight path development and other aspects of the airport's operation.

Why did Council change its position on the airport?

Back in 1996, in line with community views, Council resolved to formally oppose an airport at Badgerys Creek. Despite the acquisition of large amounts of land in the Badgerys Creek area, the Federal Government decided the airport was not required at that time. In the past decade the community has consistently called for more jobs and better infrastructure including road and rail connections. Council believes the airport is an opportunity to achieve this and stimulate other economic growth.

A community phone survey in 2014 found 69.1% of residents felt Penrith would benefit from an airport nearby and 52.2% supported Badgerys Creek as the location.

What else has Council been doing?

Council has been actively engaging with the State and Federal Governments and advocating strongly for the key priorities outlined in Western Sydney Airport - Maximising benefits and minimising impacts.

Council is also represented on the Biodiversity Experts Group, established to provide technical advice on the development of a Biodiversity Offset Delivery Plan for Western Sydney Airport.

Through the Western Sydney City Deal, Council has secured significant investment in infrastructure and job creation. At the centre of the City Deal is a commitment from Federal and State Governments to jointly fund Stage One of the North South Rail Link, from St Mary’s to Western Sydney Airport, in time for the first day of airport operations.

The Federal Government has also committed to delivering local jobs for the region during construction and in the ongoing operation of Western Sydney Airport. At least 30% of employees during construction and 50% of employees when in operation will be residents of Western Sydney.

Advocating consistently, firmly and equitably on behalf of the Penrith community to maximise the benefits and minimise the impacts of the airport is at the forefront of Council's approach to all engagement in this area.

What infrastructure are we asking for?

Council welcomes the commitment from the State and Federal Governments to deliver the first stage of the North South Rail Link from St Marys to Western Sydney Airport in time for the airport’s opening in 2026. Council is also working to help secure the future extension of the line, linking Campbelltown to Marsden Park.

Council believes a North South Rail Link is the single most important piece of infrastructure required to transform Western Sydney. It will connect Penrith to the new airport and the region more broadly, allowing our residents to take advantage of new jobs and new services from day one of airport operation. For more information go to our North South Rail Link page.

Council also strongly supports the Federal Government's commitment to provide roads first, airport second. Council is asking for investment in local roads and other infrastructure to reflect Penrith's role as a Regional City and gateway to the airport.

What kind of airport do we want?

Council wants an iconic airport that delivers world's best practice in technology and passenger experiences and will work with Federal and State Governments, other local councils and key stakeholders to develop a long term vision of what the Western Sydney Airport will be in 2050.

Further information on Western Sydney Airport and its development is provided by the Federal Government: