Originally Posted by DutchRoll
Keg was spot on. Sydney prob30 = Richmond pea soup. The runway and approach config is very limited by both terrain, and the townships. You could, in a moment of madness, build a longer runway towards the south, which will be great fun for all in the roaring westerlies which dominate many parts of the year (the last one blew my chimney flu cap off!).
G'day DutchRoll, long time no see.
Given that airport infrastructure costs a lot they could probably build a North-South runway and put the road under the runway. UWS has plenty of paddack space in-line with the N/S grass runway. You could build a 12,000 foot runway there with no real terrain off each end. Sure you'd get adverse winds on days - but the majority of time it would be suitable.
Politically if the government (which I hate - no surprises there) was worried about the uproar they could move a few C-17's there and ramp up heavy jet moves in order to "prepare" the local community.
Cheers,
PAF