Airport Information

Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport

The Western Sydney International Airport is under construction and scheduled to commence operation in 2026. The airport is located 44 kilometres west of the Sydney CBD on Badgerys Creek Road, Badgerys Creek in Western Sydney. The airport has been named after Nancy-Bird Walton, a female aviation pioneer in Australia who trained female pilots in World War II.

The Australian Government is investing up to $5.3 billion in equity to deliver the airport through the Commonwealth company, “Western Sydney Airport”. The project will be delivered in stages as demand grows.

The airport will open initially with a single runway and facilities to cater for up to 5 million international and domestic passengers. By 2031 a second runway will be added and it is expected that passenger numbers will grow to around 10 million passengers. By around 2063, it is expected that around 82 million passengers will pass through the terminals annually.

The link below provides additional information and resources from the official website for the Western Sydney Airport.

https://www.westernsydneyairport.gov.au/

Current Status

A draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Western Sydney International Airport (WSIA) airspace and flight path design is now on public exhibition. The draft EIS consists of the development and implementation of proposed flight paths and a new controlled airspace volume for single runway operations at WSIA which are due to commence in 2026. The project also includes the associated air traffic control and noise abatement procedures for eventual use by civil, commercial passenger and freight aircraft. The project does not include any physical infrastructure.

The draft EIS provides the opportunity for the community and industry to make comment on the preliminary airspace design before a final airspace and flight path design is determined. The draft EIS is on public exhibition until 31 January 2024 and can be accessed via the following link:

https://www.wsiflightpaths.gov.au/digital-draft-eis/

People can have their say on the draft EIS by making a submission during this period.

Council is continuing its campaign for a fair and equitable way forward for residents affected by aircraft noise restrictions imposed under the SEPP (Western Sydney Aerotropolis). In response to letters from the Mayor, the following correspondence has been received from the State Government Minister.  Importantly, the Minister advises that the Federal Government will be developing a noise insulation and property acquisition policy for landowners whose homes will be affected by aircraft overflight noise. The letter states that this policy will identify assistance for noise mitigation measures, such as sound proofing homes, dependent upon the level of impact. Given the potential impacts on affected Fairfield residents, Council will be seeking further clarification from the Government in relation to potential property acquisition requirements.  Should you also wish to follow up on this matter directly, below are the contact details of the responsible Federal Minister, The Hon Catherine King, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development and The Hon. Anthony Roberts, MP.

Note: the letter states that the planning restrictions are to allow for 24/7 operations at the future airport. Council has had an acoustic study prepared that identifies that the ANEC contours used by the State Government are modelled on a 24/7 airport. This means that they cover a larger area than for other airports with restrictions on operating hours. Under Federal and State airport guidelines the 20-25 noise contours that apply to Horsley Park and Cecil Park are suitable for residential development subject to it being constructed in accordance with the relevant Australian Standard. You can view further information under the blue tab (below) ‘Rules for knockdown and rebuilds for properties in Horsley Park affected by aircraft noise’.

 

Western Sydney Airport (Planning Package)

The Western Sydney Aerotropolis will be a purpose built smart city surrounding the Western Sydney International Airport. The Aerotropolis is strategically located on the edge of Sydney and within one of the fastest-growing regions in Australia, Western Sydney.

The Western Sydney Aerotropolis will become a thriving economic centre in Western Sydney and will contribute towards 200,000 new jobs in the Western Parkland City. The emphasis will be on creating a high-skill jobs hub encompassing opportunities in defence, manufacturing, healthcare, freight and logistics, agribusiness, education and research industries.

The Aerotropolis will be the catalyst for investment in public infrastructure improving access, connectivity and liveability across the Western Parkland City ensuring its resilience and adaptability into the future. 

Planning for and around the Aerotropolis involves a number of statutory plans and strategic policies. The Western Sydney Planning Partnership is responsible for delivering the final Western Sydney Aerotropolis Planning Package and precinct plans for the initial precincts. The planning package consists of the following documents:

  • Western Sydney Aerotropolis Plan (WSAP)
  • Western Sydney Aerotropolis Plan Finalisation Report
  • Western Sydney Aerotropolis State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP)
  • Amendment to the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000
  • New Ministerial Direction 7.8 Implementation of Western Sydney Aerotropolis Plan
  • Western Sydney Aerotropolis Development Control Plan (DCP) Phase 1

The links below provide additional information and resources associated with the Western Sydney Aerotropolis and relevant Planning Package:

 

Horsley Park and Cecil Park Aircraft Noise Restrictions

If you are a landowner in Horsley Park or Cecil Park and you are affected by aircraft noise restrictions, the information below is provided to help you voice your concerns to the NSW State Government directly.

Background

Aircraft noise restrictions were introduced by the State Government in October 2020. The aim of the restrictions is to minimise future impacts on the areas surrounding the airport by restricting the types of buildings that can be constructed near the airport. These restrictions were imposed without consultation on properties within Horsley Park and Cecil Park located under the 20-25 ANEC associated with the Western Sydney Airport. The restrictions mean that:

  • Affected land can no longer be subdivided into 1 hectare (2.5 acre) lots for residential purposes; and
  • Dwellings, dual occupancies and granny flats are prohibited on the land.

Before the restrictions were introduced by the State Government, Council allowed consideration of 1ha subdivision for residential dwellings and dual occupancy development (on 2ha lots) since 1994 and granny flats since 2014. Additionally, Council had adopted a draft plan for the area that proposed 1 acre subdivision in the affected areas.

These restrictions are extremely unfair and unreasonable and cause significant disadvantage for affected landowners in Horsley Park and Cecil Park and should be removed by the State Government immediately. 

Council has written to the Prime Minister, Premier of NSW, State Member for Mulgoa and Minister for Planning registering its strongest concerns regarding the unfair and unreasonable nature of restrictions that have been placed on landowners without any prior warning and requesting that they be removed.

In August 2020, Council also sent letters to affected land owners warning of the government’s intention to impose these restrictions. A public meeting was recently held on 27 March 2021 to discuss these issues with the community.

Let the State Government know how the restrictions have impacted the lives of you and your family

It is important to make the State Government aware of how the restrictions have affected the lives and personal circumstances of affected landowners.

Council is aware of cases where the restrictions have resulted in financial loss for landowners. For example, affected landowners no longer have the ability to subdivide and sell new lots to support their retirement or build additional residential accommodation for family members and relatives.

It is important that landowners continue to raise these issues to let the State Government know that the restrictions have been at the expense of the personal wellbeing and welfare of people living under the 20-25 ANEC.

Key issues raised by Council

Fairfield City Council has repeatedly raised its concerns with the State Government regarding the unfair and unreasonable nature of the aircraft noise restrictions imposed on landowners in Horsley Park and Cecil Park.

Specifically, the restrictions do not achieve a balance between the property rights of affected landowners and the future airport. The protection of the asset value of the airport is being given total priority over people’s property rights and livelihoods.

Fairfield City Council Aircraft Noise Strategy (Marshall Day Acoustics)

Council engaged the services of Marshall Day Acoustics to:

  • Identify inconsistencies and inequities in the approach being taken by the State Government for affected owners having regard to existing planning policies and practices for development in aircraft noise affected areas, drawing upon case studies and past practice; and
  • Prepare an Aircraft Noise Strategy to support a minimum subdivision standard of 1 acre and associated residential accommodation on the subject land within the Horsley Park Urban Investigation Area (UIA).

The Aircraft Noise Strategy provides a framework to support Council’s preferred structure plan for the Horsley Park UIA and potentially a planning proposal allowing the subdivision and residential development on lots of a minimum size of 1 acre.

The Strategy was finalised in April 2021 and is available for viewing via the link below:

Final-Aircraft-Noise-Strategy-Horsley-Park-Urban-Investigation-Area-April-2021.pdf(PDF, 2MB) 

Who to write to?

If you would like to write to the State Government to express your concerns and request a review of the restrictions, click the following link to see contact details of relevant persons to write to: Who-to-write-to.pdf(PDF, 6KB)

Relevant Correspondence and Reports

 

Transport Planning and Infrastructure

Supporting the future operation of the Western Sydney Airport are a number of significant transport and infrastructure projects aimed at connecting the airport to Sydney’s road and rail network. These include:

Links

Western Sydney Airport: Peer Review

In September 2015 the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC), and the Macarthur Regional Organisation of Councils (MACROC) established a steering group to oversee an Independent Peer Review of the Environmental Impact Statement. The steering group comprises 11 councils in the Greater Western Sydney Region, including Fairfield. Below are links to download the Peer Review documents prepared by the independent Consultant.

Rules for knockdown and rebuilds for properties in Horsley Park affected by aircraft noise

State Government planning restrictions for ‘noise sensitive development’ includes residential development under Chapter 4 (Western Sydney Aerotropolis), Clause 4.17 Aircraft noise, of State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) Precincts - Western Sydney Parkland City.

The restrictions generally prohibit additional housing (e.g. as part of a new subdivision) or secondary dwellings on existing lots in areas of Horsley Park affected by the 20-25 Australian Noise Exposure Concept (ANEC) footprint of the Western Sydney Airport at Badgerys Creek.

Development applications to knockdown and rebuild an existing dwelling now rely on ‘existing use right provisions’ of the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

To prove existing use rights, the following information is required:

  • Proof of development approval of original dwelling - You can request access to Council records. There are different ways to access information which you can find on the Access to Information page on the Fairfield City Council website.
  • Proof of ongoing residence – You can supply evidence to show that the dwelling has been occupied, including Driver Licence with property address, copy of utility bill with property address.

Development approvals for dwellings in the 20-25 ANEC affected area will have the following condition apply:

Acoustic report – Aircraft Noise

An acoustic report shall be submitted to satisfaction of Fairfield City Council, from a suitably qualified acoustic consultant, confirming that the proposed development complies with the Western Sydney Airport 20-25 ANEC, Wildlife Management and Obstacle Limitation Surface (OLS) SEPP, due to the sites being identified in the SEPP. The report shall be undertaken in accordance with AS 2021-2015, Acoustic – Aircraft Noise Intrusion – building, siting and construction.  All recommendation in the report shall be included on the construction certificate plans.

Council’s Building Control Branch can provide more information on 9725 0222

 

 

 

Sydney Metro Bankstown Airport 

Sydney Metro Airport Bankstown (Bankstown Airport) is an airport and business park located in the Canterbury-Bankstown area, approximately 26 km from the Sydney Central Business District (CBD) and 17 km west of Sydney Airport. It is situated on 313 ha (770 acres) of land and has three parallel runways, several apron areas, a small passenger terminal and a business park, home to more than 180 businesses ranging from multinational aviation companies to freight operators, and manufacturers. The airport is home to numerous fixed-wing and helicopter flying schools and also caters to charter and private business flights, freight, aeromedical services, recreational flights, aircraft maintenance businesses, private aircraft and emergency services. Bankstown Airport operates 24 hours a day, with limitations placed on night circuit training.

Fairfield Local Government Area is under the approach and departure flight paths of the Bankstown Airport with Cabramatta Town Centre being 5km to the north west from the main runway, and the Lansvale peninsula approximately 1.5km from the main runway.

Air Services Australia provides details on aircraft in your neighbourhood such as flight paths, number of aircraft movements, altitude of aircraft and time of aircraft movements on their website. The website also provides other detailed information as well as information on aircraft that may have disturbed you and ways to make enquiries or complaints. Click here to go to the Air Services Australia website.

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