No need to move 4 fighter squadrons, an AWACs squadron an ECSS, boeing maintenance facilities from a RAAF base at all. Civvies need to learn that they are guests at Willy town - at least until the Labor government rips the heart out of the ADF.
Civil aviation is growing and The RAAF is shrinking. By the time the F-35 is introduced the RAAF will be lucky to even have four fast jet squadrons. An international airport would provide a massive kick to the local economy and a fast train lnk to Sydney would receive overwhelming support from Newcastle commuters. The only other realistic option is CB.
Thread drift anyway.....