Suggestions for RAAF Richmond.
1. Only one flying squadron now remains at Richmond i.e. 37 Sqn operating C130's
2. The army wants them closer to their troops and the S.E Asia/South Pacific regions for rapid deployment purposes e.g. Darwin, Amberley, Townsville. Move them
3. However, If the RAAF leave Richmond about $100 million per annum in civil contracts disappears from the local coffers.
4. Solution, develop Richmond as second civil airport in the Sydney basin.
5. Build North/South runway, 12000ft, through university grounds. Make it Category 3 capable for low visibilty operations.
6. University of Western Sydney (UWS) - Hawkesbury Campus is in decline. Move university to another (quieter) location within the Hawkesbury and build a world class facility as a tradeoff for utilising their land. Benefit - attracts students/staff back to the area.
7. Upgrade existing railway to Richmond to a high speed link to Sydney as well as a freight link for air cargo operations. The railway could go under the proposed new runway together with the existing Windsor/Richmond road.
8. M2 has land allocated all the way to the Hawkesbury (look at the latest SYDWAY street directory). Build it.
9. Utilisation of N/S runway should alleviate noise issues which exist with current E/W runway over Richmond/Windsor townships. Keeps local community happy.
10. Zone area around airport to minimise residential development and to preserve the semi-rural nature of the area. Again, keeps local community happy.
11. The local community is used to aviation movements/activity. If the RAAF leave, there will be an enormous economic vacuum that needs to be filled. Seize the opportunity with the Federal govenment funding it and reap the benefits.
All of the above benefits not only the Hawkesbury, but the surrounding areas e.g. Penrith, Hills District with improved transportation/education/employment opportunities. If anyone has any other ideas about Richmond, both positive and negative, I am very interested.