Alex Hawke welcomes environmental assessment for Badgerys Creek

Federal Member for Mitchell, Alex Hawke MP, today welcomed the Australian Government’s commitment to conducting a thorough environmental assessment for the proposed Western Sydney airport at Badgerys Creek.

“Badgerys Creek has been assessed and reassessed in some of the most comprehensive environmental process in our history, but the Australian Government is determined to make sure the site still stacks up, Alex Hawke said.

“Vital to any environmental assessment will be the capacity for community consultation. Again, our government is committed to giving the public their say.

“It is my view the proposed airport will offer significant benefits for the local region – economically and socially.

“The airport itself will create thousands of jobs during construction but, even more importantly, will deliver tens of thousands of jobs once the airport is operational in the mid-2020s.

“That’s an important boost for people across Western Sydney. It’s a win for our local economy, the economy of New South Wales and the country.

“The airport is an airport for Western Sydney. Our growing population demands the infrastructure people need and our own airport is a necessity.

“The $3.6 billion the Australian and NSW Governments’ are committing to bring the roads network around Western Sydney up to scratch means better commuting times for everyone and easier access to our own airport with less time in traffic getting to and from work.

“Today’s announcement by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss that an environmental assessment Referral is underway is just the first step.  I look forward to further announcements and the opportunity for public consultation as the project progresses”, concluded Alex Hawke MP.