Joint Study on Aviation Capacity for the Sydney Region

On 16 December 2009 as part of the launch of the National Aviation Policy White Paper, the Hon Anthony Albanese MP, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government announced that the Australian and NSW governments will be working together on a Joint Study on aviation capacity for the Sydney region.

The Joint Study will consider the short and long term aviation infrastructure requirements of the Sydney region, and identify strategies and locations to meet the aviation infrastructure needs. It will also consider options for the use of Commonwealth land at Badgerys Creek, which the Minister indicated is no longer an option for an airport.

The Joint Study will facilitate the development of an Aviation Strategic Plan which will inform future infrastructure planning and investment by government and industry and enable the proper integration of future airport operations with surrounding state land use planning and land transport networks.

It is anticipated that the Aviation Strategic Plan will be completed in mid 2011.

Steering Committee

A Steering Committee, consisting of government officials and non-government members, will oversee the Joint Study. Members will bring to the Study relevant experience and expertise in infrastructure, transport, planning, aviation, economics, government, environment and tourism.

Members of the Steering Committee are:

• Mr Mike Mrdak, Secretary, Australian Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government (co-chair),
• Mr Sam Haddad, Director-General, NSW Department of Planning (co-chair),
• Mr Les Wielinga, Director-General, NSW Department of Transport and Infrastructure,
• Mr Chris Brown,
• Dr Warren Mundy,
• The Hon Warwick Smith AM, and
• Ms Jennifer Westacott

Terms of reference

• The Terms of Reference [PDF: 77 KB].
• Further details can be found in Chapter 12 of the National Aviation Policy White
  Paper [PDF: 424 KB].

Secretariat support

The Sydney Aviation Capacity Branch, Aviation and Airports Division, will provide Secretariat support to the Steering Committee and its work towards the Joint Study.