Flight Paths Concerns

Concerns have been raised over the five proposed flight paths for the new Western Sydney International Airport at Badgerys Creek, to be called Nancy Bird Walton, which will see some flights over Hawkesbury.

Western Sydney International Airport opening time

The airport, set to open in 2026, will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Federal MP for Macquarie Susan Templeman said she welcomed the release of the preliminary flight paths with detailed information and transparency but acknowledged that a number of the flight paths impact the Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury.

“These are not the same flight paths that were included in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) of 2015, which had every incoming flight pass over Blaxland,” she said.

“While some people may feel relief, others will be surprised and concerned to see their area Impacted.”

The flight paths were released by Infrastructure Minister Catherine King who said they were designed to minimize flights over residential areas, particularly during the night.

She said the community can provide feedback on the draft EIS during a formal public exhibition period following its release.

“This feedback will be considered as we finalise the flight path design ahead of the new airport starting operations by late 2026.”

According to details contained on the website https://www.wsiflightpaths.gov.au/

Departures from the Nancy Bird Walton International airport could result in 2 to 6 departures flying over Bligh Park and Windsor areas. The biggest impact from the proposal will be the areas of Pitt Town, Ebenezer, Cattai and Lower Portland which will be under a flightpath for arrivals meaning 8 to 19 flights a day.

Susan Templeman said: “In releasing these flight paths, I have demanded that accurate and detailed information be available to us all… we need to have time to fully understand the flight paths before being asked to respond to an Environment Impact Statement (EIS).

“I encourage everyone in the Mountains and Hawkesbury to access the information at www.wsiflightpaths.gov.au

“Anyone who does not have internet access should contact my office so we can distribute the hard copy information I expect to be available from the Department of Infrastructure shortly. As we digest the impact of the preliminary flight paths, I know people will feel angry. I know people will be upset. I also know we need to work together as a community to have effective input into this process.”

Community information and feedback sessions have been organised, the nearest are at Parramatta (Thursday 20th July from 3pm to 8pm and Civic Gallery and Blacktown on Saturday 22nd July 11am to 4pm Max Webber Library.

Plans for a second International airport for Sydney at Badgerys Creek were first announced in 1986.

For more information about the current plans visit https://www.wsiflightpaths.gov.au/