Ascots plans to shut down Jandakot: Murray Shire minutes
FYI: Ascot plans to shut down Jandakot are gaining momentum. Lots of half truths and blatant deceit in this proposal
Page 64 Planning & Development Services Committee Meeting – 22/08/2006 (Murray Shire)
7.6.4.1 DEPUTATION - PROPOSED NEW AIRPORT
RESOLVED
It was resolved that this item be dealt with at this point in order to receive a
deputation from Mr Greg King and Mr David Van der Walt from Ascot Capital,
Mr David Pringle from Pindan Pty Ltd and Ms Leigh Hardingham, Community
Consultant from ARID, the time being 11.28am.
Mr Greg King, Director of Ascot Capital, introduced Mr David Van der Walt, Mr
David Pringle and Ms Leigh Hardingham and thanked the Committee for
agreeing to the deputation.
He presented a slide show detailing the location of the proposed airport and
the reasoning behind the proposed relocation of Jandakot Airport to North
Dandalup.
The slide show detailed the number of flights in and out of Jandakot and Perth
International Airports daily, weekly and annually and showed the overlap of
the two airports’ air space. Mr King stated that the overlap area posed major
safety concerns.
Mr King stated that the increase in the projected number of flights up to the
year 2015 far exceeded expectations and that Jandakot would in no way be
capable of coping with that number of flights. He also stated that when the
A380 aircraft started flying into Perth, Jandakot Airport would have to be shut
down for take off and landing of the aircraft.
Cr Watson-Raston stated that the relocation of the Royal Flying Doctor Service
(RFDS) to North Dandalup was possibly not a good idea. Mr King stated that
the RFDS may be relocated to Perth Airport and there was also the possibility
that it would be flying a jet aircraft.
Cr Bessant stated that so far, community consultation regarding the proposal
is seriously lacking and they needed to start as soon as possible. He stated
that exact detail on the location is very vague and this needs to be identified
better that it currently is.
Mr King stated that the forums will be set up in the next couple of weeks.
Ms Hardingham responded to Cr Bessant saying that they needed to get all
the information together before community consultation can take place and
it is only this week that it has been fully scoped.
Cr Bessant stated that there were already five airports in the North Ward. Mr
King stated that the Murray Airfield would have to close and be consolidated
into the proposed airfield. They are having discussions with the current owners
of Murrayfield regarding this.
Planning & Development Services Committee Meeting – 22/08/2006 Page 65
Cr Barrie Thomson asked why relocating the airport to the east was not
considered. Mr King stated that the Darling Ranges and the Escarpment
impacted on that. He also said that the prevailing winds also work well with
the proposed location and that there was serious wind shear issues associated
with an eastern location.
Cr Thomson then asked how the proposed airport will affect the residents of
the Shire of Murray. Mr King stated that they are working with all the noise
studies and how the noise contours work. They have tried to align the runways
away from the residential areas. He stated that 85% of the flights are
controlled and will be within the area’s buffer of three nautical miles.
Cr Higgins asked whether they have bought the land yet and was told no.
She then asked about the provision of accommodation if they expected a lot
of tourists and visitors.
Mr Pringle from Pindan Pty Ltd stated that they have enough land for sufficient
accommodation.
Cr Nancarrow asked whether it would be better to put the accommodation
in one of the surrounding towns and also, apart from jobs, how would the
community benefit from the proposal.
Mr King stated that they would welcome input from Council and the
community on what it would like to see and they would be happy to
contribute in any way.
The Director Planning & Development Services, Mr Mat Selby, asked what is
the reaction of the State Government to the proposal and how does it fit in
with the existing planning framework.
Mr King stated that it anticipated providing light industrial areas as part of the
proposal, not heavy industrial. He further stated that they have engaged all
levels of State Government in the process.
The Chief Executive Officer, Mr Neil Leach, asked why, if the majority of flying is
for pilot training, the pilot training could not be relocated to Merredin to allow
Jandakot to keep operating. Mr King stated that Merredin is too small.
Cr Higgins asked how many flights per day there would be. Mr King stated
that there are approximately 400,000 flights per annum, which would equate
to approximately 1,100 flights per day. He further stated that the majority of
the flying will be pilot training which would be conducted within the airport’s
buffer zone of three nautical miles and not flying out over residential areas
outside of that zone.
The Manager Planning & Development Services, Mr Mark Jones, asked
whether the project is freehold. Mr King stated that it is not, but would like to
do that and they are capable of doing that. He further stated that it will end
up being owned by the Commonwealth.
Cr Nancarrow said that they now have to get together with the community
and the Council and come forward with concrete information.
Page 66 Planning & Development Services Committee Meeting – 22/08/2006
Mr Mat Selby asked what the timeframe is for them to get the proposal to
Council as it has to formally consider something at Council. It will need an
Amendment.
Mr King stated that it is going to be Commonwealth land and therefore they
can short circuit some of the issues and processes.
The deputation was thanked for presenting their proposal to the Committee
and they left the meeting at 12.29pm.
Cr B Thomson returned to the meeting, the time being 11.35am.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: