PRIME MINISTER
ADDRESS BY THE PRIME MINISTER, THE HON P J KEATING MP
OPENING OF THE THIRD RUNWAY AT SYDNEY AIRPORT
4 NOVEMBER 1994 * CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY*
Well. today's a great day.
It's a great day for Sydney but it's also a great day for Australia.
The opening of this third runway means that we now have the sort of airport
you'd expect in one of the great cities of the world.
It's the! sort of airport worthy of a city, and a country, hosting the 2000
Olympics. But perhaps more important, this third runway will create a huge number of jobs
and deliver enormous benefits to the Australian community.
According to the Federal Airports Corporation, this runway will generate an
additional 26,000 airport-related jobs in the next five years, and an additional
one million jobs in the tourism industry over the next ten years.
I mean it's difficult to think of many projects that are going to generate these
levels of employment.
On top of the jobs, there will also be majqor benefits to consumers be they
business people or people on holidays.
And It won't be too long before they no longer have to factor in inordinate
delays -to their travel into and out of Sydney.
2
Of course, making this a world quality airport that will generate enormous
benefits, not just for Sydney but for the wider Australian community is
something that's not without it's cost.
And, unfortunately, it's a cost that doesn't fall equally.
As we all know, there are a good number of people who live in the surrounding
areas, who will be adversely affected by noise.
For thiose people, we have put in place a $ 183 million package of measures to
reduce the Impact of aIrcraft noise on the local community.
I might add that these measures aren't cosmetic they go further than many
similar programs at airports right around the world.
They acknowledge that the burden doesn't fall equally.
The noise control measures include
* the voluntary acquisition of 112 properties in the area of highest noise
exposure the 40 Australian Noise Exposure ( AN EF) contour
the Insulation of schools, colleges, hospitals, churches, and child and health
care facilities the 25 to 40 ANEF contour based on the ultimate capacity
of the airport
and the Insulation of 3,500 residences exposed to projected noise levels
above 30 ANEF.
Further, there will also be a study to assess whether insulation should be put in
residences exposed to lower levels of noise ( below the 30 ANEF contour) arnd a
pilot insulation scheme will be undertaken as a matter of priority.
This third runway is also a major accomplishment in construction and industrial
relations. Not only has the project involved the dredgi ng of 14 million cubic metres; of
sand from Botany Bay, the reclamation of 170 hectares and the construction of
kilometres of taxiways, but it has all been achieved six months ahead of
schedule and $ 32 million under budget.
Further, because of a ' co-operative contracting approach' between the runway
consortium and the Federal Airports Corporation, not one day has been lost to
industrial action during the entire life of the project.
That's a great achievement and a tribute to both the workers and the
management. In constructing the runway, we haven't lost sight of environmental
considerations. To prevent silt fouling Botany Bay, a specially fabricated seven kilometre long
' turbidity barrier' has been built.
And Kl's the first time this technology has been used on a major project like this
one. In addition, 30 hectares of seagrass have been created in the embayment
between the runways.
Of course, it's also important to see this third runway in the wider context of the
Government's aviation policies to deliver a quality service to Australian
consumers. With this runway up and running, we can now rightly lay claim to having a
robust, integrated and Internationally competitive aviation industry one that
has decreased average air fares by 22 per cent since 1990 and has increased
passenger numbers by 58 per cent on our most Important routes.
But the reform needs to continue and that's why the Government has moved to
lease all FAC Airports and Sydney West airport at Badgerys Creek.
At its heart, this decision reflects the need to improve the efficiency of airport
investments and operations.
It should lead to Australia having one of the most innovative private airport
industries in the world.
All up these reforms, coupled with the construction of this third runway will
deliver enormous benefits to tens of thousands of Australians both in terms of
jobs arid additional business.
Today is a major step forward for the Australian aviation Industry.
And it's the sort of step we have to take if we are to ensure that 21st Century
Australia is the best place in the world to live and do business.
Congratulations to all involved in the completion of this critical piece of national
infrastnicture. Thank you.