Flight Paths Concerns

Concerns have been raised over the five proposed flight paths for the new Western Sydney International Airport at Badgerys Creek, to be called Nancy Bird Walton, that will see some flights over Hawkesbury.


Western Sydney International Airport opening time
The airport, set to open in 2026, will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Federal MP for Macquarie Susan Templeman said she welcomed the release of the preliminary flight paths with detailed information and transparency but acknowledged a number of the flight paths impact the Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury.

?These are not similar flight paths that were included in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) of 2015, which had every incoming flight pass over Blaxland,? she said.

?While some people may feel relief, others will undoubtedly be surprised and concerned to see their area Impacted.?

The flight paths were released by Infrastructure Minister Catherine King who said they were designed to minimize flights over residential areas, particularly at night time.

Flight Paths Concerns said the community can offer feedback on the draft EIS throughout a formal public exhibition period following its release.

?This feedback will undoubtedly be regarded as we finalise the flight path design ahead of the new airport starting operations by late 2026.?

According to details contained on the site https://www.wsiflightpaths.gov.au/

Departures from the Nancy Bird Walton International airport you could end up 2 to 6 departures flying over Bligh Park and Windsor areas. The largest impact from the proposal will be the areas of Pitt Town, Ebenezer, Cattai and Lower Portland which will be under a flightpath for arrivals meaning 8 to 19 flights each day.

Susan Templeman said: ?In releasing these flight paths, I've demanded that accurate and detailed information be accessible to us all? we must have time to fully understand the flight paths before being asked to react to an Environment Impact Statement (EIS).

?I encourage everyone in the Mountains and Hawkesbury to gain access to the information at www.wsiflightpaths.gov.au

?Anyone who does not need access to the internet should contact my office so we can distribute the hard copy information I be prepared to be accessible from the Department of Infrastructure shortly. As we digest the impact of the preliminary flight paths, I understand people will feel angry. I know people will undoubtedly be upset. I also know we have to work together as a community to possess effective input into this process.?

Community information and feedback sessions have already been organised, the nearest are in Parramatta (Thursday 20th July from 3pm to 8pm and Civic Gallery and Blacktown on Saturday 22nd July 11am to 4pm Max Webber Library.

Plans for a second International airport for Sydney at Badgerys Creek were first announced in 1986.

For more information about the current plans visit https://www.wsiflightpaths.gov.au/