FOR MEDIA WEDNESDAY, JULY 22 1981
SYDNEY AIRPORT
I am very disappointed indeed to see Mr Wran's reply to the
Commonweal-z. oroposals to meet the future aviation needs of Sydney and
the whole of New South Wales.
Because of the pressure of growth in this city and of air
traffic, we had proposed that a second parallel runway be
built at Mascot, but that for long term planning a new airport
site be determined -and secured. It will take between 12 and
years to build a new modern international airport for
Sydney and therefore a decision to build a new site alone does
not meet the needs of Sydney over that period. There is already
heavy con-estion at Mascot, there is already diversion of
traffic, general aviation is already suffering considerably
and this Is bound to get worse.
Mr Wran has made a decision to strangle the growth of air
transport in and out of Sydney. That, therefore, is a decision
to strangle the commercial development of this city. Quite
obviously international flights would have to be diverted under
this policy. No doubt other Premiers will welcome that, but
that will not help Sydney and the legitimate commercial needs
of that city.
Mr Wran, through his whole period of government, has shown
himself quite incapable of taking the difficult decisions which
are necessary for the progress of his own State. This not only
affects the city of Sydney, it will affect all the people of
New South Wales. Especially it would mean charter and commuter
services to Sydney would be rationed and regional services would
have to be limited . As the congestion at Mascot grows worse.
So he has taken a decision which affects all the people of
the State, a retrograde and damaging step which he no doubt
believes has short term political advantage. That of course
has characterised Mr Wran's premiership throughout his whole
term. Short term political advantage without the long term
sensible planning which any government ought to undertake. / 2
2
The delays in reaching any decision on this are right in
Mr Wran's court. I first wrote to Mr Wran on this subject on
August 1976. We established a joint Commonwealth State'
committee to examine the subject that held 30 meetings over a
period of 36 months. Then in December 1979 Mr Wran withdrew
his State representatives and the report could not proceed
on a joint basis.
We therefore tried to determine the issue in the only way that
can meet tie transport. needs of Sydney. and New South Wales by
proposing a parallel runway and a second airport which
obviously involve massive expenditure over a period of
years. Mr Wran has rejected the only solution.
oOo---