PRIME MINISTER
FOR PRESS 20 O* CTOBER 1976
FUTURE, MAJOR AIRPORT NEEDS OF SYDNEY
The Prime Minister, The Right Hon. Malcolm Fraser, and the
N. S. W.-Premier, the Hon. Neville Wran, today announced the
establishment of a Committee of senior Commonwealth and
State officials to recommend a suitable strategy for airport
development and associated land use and surface access in the
Sydney area.
Mr Fraser and Mr Wran noted that the absence of a
firm policy towards future air transport needs for Sydney had
helped to generate public controversy and had inhibited proper
planning. It could be to the detriment of Sydney and of
New South Wales generally if further undue delay in determining
future strategies were to prejudice the selection of the most
appropriate options and add seriously to eventual costs.
This could lead to a situation where future air transport demands
were not adequately met.
The Committee will examine existing airports and the possibility
of establishing a major airport at a new site.
The Committee is to report to the two Governments within
eighteen months. In reaching its conclusions, the Committee
will take into account all relevant factors economic, financial,
social, technical, operational, environmental, land use and
community attitudes. It will also inform-and consult the airlines,
unions, local government authorities, community organisations,
and other interested parties. / 2
I, 2.
The Commonwealth Minister for Transport, the Hon. P. J. Nixon,
and the State Minister for Planning and Environment, the
Hon. D. P. Landa, will be meeting shortly to finalise the
necessary detailed arrangements. 000ooo00000