A few years ago we became proud owners of a book called “Sydney Region Outline Plan”. The book, printed in 1968 is nothing else but a large 111-page report about what Sydney and surroundings looked like back then and how they were expected to look today. Surprisingly enough, that was rather interesting reading.
In “Transport” chapter a few paragraphs were focused on that by 2000′ a second airport should be built in Sydney. No doubts it should have already happened. But it did not. I remember how amused I was when I learnt that the largest and busyiest air hub in southern hemisphere is closing for any flights every night. Well, to be honest, I could hardly imagine a modern city with the airport nearly in its center before!
Anyway, that book pointed a few options where second airport could have had been built. Of course, we already heard of options like “somewhere on West” or “in Richmond” but there was another interesting option – they were also talking about Wyong shire and even considered it as one of the prefferred options. Never happened though. Yet (?).
Well, this is all about a front cover of today’s “Central Coast Sun Weekly” – it says that the government is once again revisiting plans to build a new airport for Sydney and there are “many feasible reasons” why it should be build in Somersby. Not far away from Wyong, but nothing new – they already shortlisted in in 1969 and there was a 500-people demonstration against it back in 1971 (see aph.gov.au).
I am not quite sure how feasible is it really – from my impression landscape here on Central Coast is anything but suitable for airports. I am not airport architect and I don’t know all the details – may be Somersby plateau is large enough for long runways required for A380, but that besides the point. Even the fact that some businesses have already backed the proposal (which is understandable) so as that it is not know yet how would it change the face of Central coast and affect the enfironment are not important yet. I rather curious about whether they decide or not finally? This discussion already seems to last for over 50 years.
With the geographical location of the Central Coast lying between Sydney, Newcastle and the Hunter it is inevitable that the Region will grow as its much larger neighbours grow in terms of population and economy.
With this in mind (and to keep this brief), the residence of the Central Coast can either protest against hosting Sydney’s second international airport or support it in a manner that preserves the Central Coast lifestyle.
I am of the view that Central Coasters are best to support all discussions as it will create jobs and wealth for the Region. Most life-long locals are sick and tired of commuting to Sydney to earn a fair wage.
I would expect most Tree-Changers to be against any idea.
The ideal location of an international airport would be close to the F3 due to the transportation link. An ideal piece of land could be located near, say, Glenworth Valley/Popran National Park, Mount White, Peats Ridge Road, Calga and Brisbane Water National Park.
The second Sydney international airport would never displace Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD) as the main airport due simply to Kingsford Smith close proximity to Sydney’s CBD. The second international airport would initially be used by freighter aircraft, discount passenger airlines and short-range aircraft. Much the same way as Maroochydore (MCY), Avalon (AVV), Frankfurt Hahn (HHN) and London Stansted (STN) are utilised. The airport would be under-utilised until Kingsford Smith has reached its capacity – there’s nothing wrong with this as one of its functions would be as a back-up airport to Kingsford Smith.
Noise concerns are minimised if a curfew is developed and would only affect a small rural and semi-rural populations near the airport. The more densely populated towns at sea-level (ie, Narara, Gosford, Woy Woy, Pearl Beach etc.) would only hear aircraft noise if they are in a holding pattern (circling) above them, this would be a rare event. The largest passenger aircraft, the Airbus 380, is much quieter than the aging Boeing 747 aircraft. For whatever reason Kingsford Smith is closed, aircraft would be diverted to the second airport and therefore noise would increase.
The development of Warnervale was doomed to fail for various reasons so I shall not go there!
A second Sydney international airport would be great for jobs and will help create economy diversity on the Central Coast.
Kind regards,
Patrick
ps, what brought you to develop this blog topic?
Hi Patrick,
I am just curious about what is going on around here.
Personally I think that it would be much better if they upgraded Newcastle’s airport and build a hi-speed rail link to it – it is 21 century, at the end, high-speed trains have already been invented!
Cannot disagree that an international airport here on Central Coast means thousands of local jobs, but I am afraid it is not going to happen. Upgrading Newcastle’s one will take less time and money; and railroad needs upgrade anyway, so I think that would work out even better than a bunch of runways in Somersby.
The best place for a second airport is the somersby area there is minimal effect and it is so close.This area was a previous choice for obvious reasons.I am not an airport architect either,but as a user I would say this is the best option.This airport will happen it will always upset someone.time to decide and build it,they have to land somewhere.
sheba