“I urge the Prime Minister Tony Abbott to be decisive on this issue and help get Sydney moving. It’s time for action – we’ve had more than 30 years of talking on this issue,” said Mayor Byrne.
Mayor Byrne said it was time for Sydney to become a truly global city by embracing the idea of a second airport.
“Here in the Sydney Hills we’ve witnessed how frustrated a community can get when Governments keep stalling on major infrastructure projects. For us it was the North West Rail Link,” Mayor Byrne said.
“The issue of an airport at Badgery’s Creek has frustrated Sydneysiders and probably Australians for more than 30 years. It’s time for the Federal Government to just get on with it and build an airport at Badgery’s Creek.”
Hills Deputy Mayor, Clr Jefferies said a second Sydney airport would deliver unprecedented employment and an economic boost for Western Sydney, New South Wales and Australia.
“Mayors, Local Councillors and Federal and State Members who oppose a second airport are standing in the way of progress and future prosperity,” Clr Jefferies said.
"It is time for these local representatives to stand up for future jobs and economic growth for their constituents and stop playing petty politics."
“With Western Sydney expected to absorb much of Sydneys' future housing targets and population growth, political leadership at the highest level is required to resolve this debate once and for all.”
Mayor Byrne said that the 1.1 million additional people expected to call Sydney home over the next two decades would not be adequately serviced by one airport.
“Currently the whole city has to drive towards Sydney’s south east to catch a plane. That puts a huge strain on the roads leading into Mascot,” Mayor Byrne said.
“We can’t have a situation where people in the Sydney Hills have to leave home five or six hours before their flight takes off just to make it in time.”
