Flight Paths Concerns

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

Western Sydney AIRPORT TERMINAL 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 similar flight paths which were contained in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) of 2015, which had every incoming flight pass over Blaxland,? she said.

?Although 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 these were designed to minimize flights over residential areas, particularly at night time.

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

?This feedback will undoubtedly be considered as we finalise the flight path design prior to the new airport starting operations by late 2026.?

In accordance with details contained on the website https://www.wsiflightpaths.gov.au/

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

Susan Templeman said: ?In releasing  Flight Paths Concerns , I've demanded that accurate and detailed information be accessible to us all? we have to have time to grasp the flight paths before being asked to react to an Environment Impact Statement (EIS).

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

?Anyone who does not have access to the internet should contact my office so we are able to distribute the hard copy information I expect to be accessible 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 undoubtedly be upset. I also know we must work together as a community to have effective input into this technique.?

Community information and feedback sessions have already been organised, the nearest are in 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 concerning the current plans visit https://www.wsiflightpaths.gov.au/