Sydney's Second Airport

[Grant Smith]

Originally Posted by Justin L.

I didn't resurrect this thread to have a slanging match ruin it.

Justin,

They all want a shot at the title mate

[Justin L]

Qantas has urged the Federal Governmenet to open up RAAF bases to civilian traffic. The government's white paper due out later this year is expected to identify Sydney's second airport location.

[Arthur T]

I think Bankstown would be a good idea for Sydney's 2nd Airport. But Airport transfers and road system must be built as well to cater the needs for it.

Furthermore, how about other airports around Sydney such as Goulburn, Wollongong etc?

[Greg McDonald]

Originally Posted by Arthur T

I think Bankstown would be a good idea for Sydney's 2nd Airport. But Airport transfers and road system must be built as well to cater the needs for it.

Furthermore, how about other airports around Sydney such as Goulburn, Wollongong etc?

As Griswold would say: Look Kids...it's Big Ben!!!!!

[Nigel C]

Originally Posted by Arthur T

I think Bankstown would be a good idea for Sydney's 2nd Airport. But Airport transfers and road system must be built as well to cater the needs for it.

Furthermore, how about other airports around Sydney such as Goulburn, Wollongong etc?

A few issues come to mind here...

Short runways at Bankstown with little room for expansion
Runways laterally spaced very close to each other. Major redevelopment would probably be required.
Surrounded by light industrial initially, but then residential areas in a Labor dominated electorate...political suicide for the current Labor Fed Govt if they choose this path.
Where would the GA aircraft go?


Goulburn would require a viable high speed rail link and airlines willing to use it (obviously Sydney is highly attractive due to its proximity to the city and surrounding infrastructure). I think there has been discussion on this previously in this thread.
Wollongong has the issue of the the surrounding escarpment, a relatively short runway with little room for expansion and a lack of a viable high speed rail link to Sydney.

[Adam P.]

Where would the GA aircraft go?

Not that anyone not involved with aviation really cares, but this really is a big issue for any 'development' of Bankstown. Hoxton Park closed last year, Camden is overflowing and Bankstown has (admittedly unconnected to the 'second airport' thing) congestion issues complicated by air traffic controller shortages. A major capital city without effective GA infrastructure is not a pretty thought.

Wollongong? Damn big hills down that way (and Nigel's neighbours with bazookas), too much housing development in the area and no room to extend the runway.
Goulburn? Has potential, but I wouldn't call it a 'Sydney' airport. Too far away.
Richmond? Upgrade transport links, raze a small village or two for a north-south runway and kick the RAAF out and you might be on a winner.

Abolish the curfew? Hell no, apart from the political suicide implications thereof, I enjoy my few hours peace and quiet a night. Don't start with the 'you should have known about it before you moved there' argument that I know is a favourite with some here - I moved into an aircraft-noise-affected area in the full knowledge that I would be hearing aircraft noise... and also in the full knowledge that between 2300 and 0600 each night that noise would stop.

So what's the solution? I don't know. Richmond appears to be a resource with potential, but would need some upgrading to handle intercontinental flights (runway isn't very long). The question also remains of how you would split up traffic to each airport. Restrict SYD to International flights only, and send domestics and regionals to RIC? Good in theory, but remember that many passengers are transferring to other flights... especially off the regional services, some for international connections. Separating these into different airports that are geographically far apart may not be so productive.

They're complicated issues. A resolution will not keep everyone happy, regardless of what that solution eventually is. I'm not holding my breath for anything anytime soon however.

[Owen H]

It isn't the curfew itself that annoys me, it is the rediculous noise sharing plans that CRIPPLE the airport.

Using runways that are not into wind to stop noise going up north (25/07), but then reducing the capacity of the airport in half. Having Melbourne departures using 34R and going half way to Auckland before being able to track to Melbourne, instead of 34L and a left turn.

All these noise issues are what cripple Sydney airport, and Australian aviation. They HAVE to go. They cost airlines in the hundreds of millions a year, and it would reduce fuel burn (and pollution) monumentally.

If we can't fly out of Sydney at midnight, fine, but at least allow us to use the SAFEST runway for takeoff, and even remotely direct tracking for one of the busiest trunk routes in the world.

[Gerard M]

If Richmond ceased to be a RAAF base anymore, that would leave NSW without any major RAAF bases/facilities wouldn't it,apart from Williamtown which already has a comercial part to it? Or is that not really much of a concern?
But i mean there is a fair bit of movement in and out of there usually, as well as the weekly cargo run from USAF (even though thats not a major thing, could easily fly somewhere else as its stop over before Alice Springs), or am i looking at this thing the wrong way and it doesnt really matter if Richmond wasnt RAAF anymore?

[Jason Mac]

Correct me if I am wrong.... Richmond only has ILS from the East ???
with the mountains so close, would it be possible to install and ILS from the West???

If Richmond was to become a 2nd airport, wouldnt the Civil industry want ILS from the West ??

Cheers

[damien b]

As Adam said earlier with Richmond, it'd need some work and purchasing of industrial sites, university land and homes around the base to allow the required expansion to occur. The main link between Windsor and Richmond would also need to be moved or placed under ground to allow a North-South runway to be built.

Even the current East -West runway may need to be longer depending on aircraft types using the "new" commercial airport. Fog is an issue at Richmond a well.

Governments would need to improve road and rail infrastrucure, especially for connections to Mascot for international travellers (if that is indeed how it will work) as the rail trip is around 1hr 20 just to central at present, and not all that regular.

The other rather large factor is where would the current RAAF resident units go to? Amberley is full, Townsville isn't that big a base and Darwin (also a major army base) isn't ideal due to weather in the tropical season. Build a new base?