Government won't act on Badgery's Creek Albanese will block anything to improve YSSY.
Government rules out airport curfew extension | thetelegraph.com.au
THE Federal Government has dismissed claims the night curfew on flights at Sydney Airport could be lifted.
A yet-to-be tabled report, commissioned by the Federal Government in 2009, is set to recommend the airport's 11pm to 6am curfew be extended, News Limited reported today.
The joint federal-state taskforce will also call for an increase in aircraft movements, lifting the current permitted rate of 70 take-offs and landings per hour to 80.
But Transport Minister Anthony Albanese, whose electorate of Grayndler lies under the flight path, ruled out any change to the curfew.
"We'll say no," he told ABC radio today.
"Of course, no one wants to fly at 3am from Sydney to Melbourne.
"The curfew does provide some respite for people who live around the airport."
Mr Albanese reiterated his belief that Sydney needs a second airport, but said it would not be at Badgerys Creek in Sydney's west.
"Sydney does need a second airport sooner rather than later because the consequences for the economy and jobs in NSW is dire if that does not occur," he said.
"The Government's position is that it should not be at Badgerys Creek."
Mr Albanese said the Government was not bound by any of the findings in the taskforce report, which is due to be handed to ministers later this year.
NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell has previously said he does not support having a second airport in the Sydney basin