Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Deputy Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the senator for his question and for some advance notice of it. I can inform the senator that many studies have found the Commonwealth-owned land at Badgerys Creek to be the best site to cater for the long-term aviation needs of the Sydney region, including the 2012 joint study on aviation capacity in the Sydney region, which assessed 80 sites across 18 locations, including Newcastle, for a new airport in the greater Sydney region.

The environmental impact statement for the proposed Western Sydney airport is the culmination of over 700 field investigations and 19 technical studies. It includes noise impact modelling and assessments of expected air and water quality changes as well as a health risk assessment. The EIS also sets out measures to manage and mitigate these impacts. Using the latest technology and incorporating sustainability measures, impacts can be minimised and benefits can be enhanced for the people of Western Sydney.

The EIS for the proposed Western Sydney airport considers the impacts of an airport on the heritage of the site and surrounding areas. The EIS also includes mitigation measures to manage any impacts and conserve the site's heritage values. These measures would be incorporated into the European and Aboriginal heritage management plans for the proposed airport and include measures such as further archaeological investigations, and curation and repatriation of heritage items. The EIS found that the proposed airport would result in only minor changes to air quality in the Western Sydney region. Emissions would be within relevant standards and represent an increase of just 0.1 to 0.7 per cent of total emissions in the Sydney Basin.