Western Sydney economy

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Why Western Sydney needs an Airport at Badgerys Creek?

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(Pic courtesy Daily Telegraph Newspaper)

Does Sydney need a second airport, and if yes, where?

This debate has been going on for decades. It is about time that Govt starts a real action.

Kingsford Smith Airport (KSA) will not be able to provide new slots for any airline beyond 2027, while number of passengers will keep growing. 87 million passengers are expected to use KSA by 2035, and these numbers will double by 2060. The capacity deficit in landing slots beyond 2027 will adversely impact NSW/Australian economy. $60 billion is the cost by 2060 due to capacity constraints at KSA.

Capacity constraints can be ameliorated to some extent if landing/taking off curfew at KSA between 11PM to 6AM can be relaxed or removed. This is not practical because this curfew is part of an Act, and it will not be allowed by people living near KSA.

This is thus clear that Sydney needs a second airport. There is no further capacity at 900 ha KSA to build new runways or extend its operation.

Badgerys Creek, a 1700 ha land in South West Sydney, can be a good site for second airport. The land is owned by Commonwealth, and has been meant to be used for 2nd airport. It was acquired wayback in 1986-91. Wilton near Campbelltown is not as good a site as Badgerys Creek is, because it will require much bigger cost in building an airport and the associated infrastructure. Badgerys Creek can be built and be in operation in 10 years, while Wilton will take 17 years.

Badgerys Creek is therefore the only realistic site at present for Sydney’s second airport.

Studies have shown that an airport in Western Sydney will generate 28000 jobs by 2050, and add billions to the economy. It will supercharge the economy in Western Sydney.

Western Sydney has higher unemployment rates, and there are pockets where upto 30% are unemployed.

It is expected that here will be 500,000 job deficit in Western Sydney by 2050.

Western Sydney needs major infrastructure projects to turbo-charge economy and create jobs.

An airport in Badgerys Creek is definitely one such infrastructure. An airport alone somewhere in the middle of paddock in Western Sydney will not be enough. The region needs road and rail network, linking it with South West Rail link and possibly NW Rail Link. Roads in the region will need to upgraded and linked with M4, M5 and M7. It will cost money, which needs to come from Federal and State funding. That is where it becomes necessary for Commonwealth and NSW Govt to work co-operatively for the sake of Western Sydney region and its residents.

Western Sydney can’t be ignored because its people are not second class, and it is the engine-head of NSW economy. Recent survey has suggested its economic growth to be far superior to North Sydney and Sydney CBD. Some area within Western Sydney had economic growth rate above 6%, while CBD grew by about 1% only.

NSW economy needs Western Sydney!

Recent surveys have found that majority of people in Western Sydney support an airport in Western Sydney. Many councils including Liverpool Council and Holroyd Council are sympathetic to Badgerys Creek Airport.

NSW ALP and its leader, John Robertson, and federal ALP Opposition leader, Bill Shorten, are in support. Deputy PM, Warren Truss, Treasurer, Joe Hockey, and PM, Tony Abbott, are in support for the second airport. There appears to be a bipartisan support federally. Mulgoa MP, Mrs Tanya Davies, is in support. Penrith Council Mayor is sympathetic. Many federal MPs like Craig Lundy and Alex Hawke are supporting it, but others like Fiona Scott, Chris Bowen and Ed Husic are apparently opposed to it.

People living in Western Sydney will need to lobby their State and Federal MPs, and local Councils to get them behind an airport in Western Sydney.

Initially, NSW Premier, Barry O’Farrell was against such airport, and was in favour of extension/upgrade of Canberra airport  for this purpose, but this proposition is not being favoured by anyone, because of distance and $8-10 billion cost in providing a high-speed rail between Canberra and Sydney.

It is about time that leaders from all persuasions and all tiers of Govt start working co-operatively for the interest of Western Sydney region and its residents!

I see merit in the demands of Western Sydney Airport Alliance, asking for a definitive announcement of Badgerys Creek Airport soon (if we want aeroplanes to start Flying from Badgerys Creek Airport by 2027), establishing a dedicated “Western Sydney Airport Authority” and starting community awareness/consultation about technical aspects of the airport, not the site per se.

Badgerys Creek is practically and realistically the only site for an airport in Western Sydney.

To avoid any political implication for any Party, let there be a bipartisan announcement from leaders which should include Prime Minister, NSW Premier, Leader of Federal Opposition, and Leader of NSW Opposition.

Dr Yadu Singh/5th March, 2014

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What we need in Western Sydney?

Western sydney

 

I missed an important interview with Sunrise of Chanel 7 today because a usual 15 minutes’ drive took about 70 minutes.

Familiar story which happens far too frequently!

It is well known that transport is a big issue for people in Western and North Western Sydney.

Living and working in Western Sydney and interacting with people-professionally or socially, have given ample insight into what is needed in this part of Sydney where 2 million ie 1 out of 11 Australians live, and where majority of Sydneysiders live too.

As I see it, and from my perspective, these are the major issues;

I am listing them here without giving any consideration to the relative importance of these issues.

1. Crimes: Shootings have been in the news. There are gangs which are doing what gangs do. I am aware of many students who have been bashed up without any fault of theirs. One of them had a severe head injury and will probably never be able to work. There are people who get assaulted while getting out of train stations. People are scared about becoming victims of the shootings or assaults. Police are doing what they have to do or can do. Whatever has to be done by the Govt must be done to give Police resources to deal with the criminals. If more CCTV and more cops on the patrol will do the job, I am all for it. If anti-gang task force comprising of officials from various agencies will do the job, that is sweet too. We want safe streets where we can do things we want to do without worrying about the next drive by shooting, assault or knife attack. Let all good ideas come from all directions to help control crimes because we want real actions, not spins.

2. Transport: People in Western Sydney complain continuously about poor transport facilities in the region. They have to waste hours after hours on the roads which are full of cars, moving ever so slowly. We need better public transport with an efficient networking of the transport facilities. NSW Transport master plan has come out and a debate on it is ongoing. People have commented that it is Sydney CBD-focused. Comments have been made that 70% of Sydney people live in the West but 70% of jobs in Sydney are in area away from the West, thus forcing people to travel to Sydney CBD. We need more jobs in Western Sydney.

3. Jobs & employment: Unemployment rates are much higher in Western Sydney. Some say, it is double of the national standard. This is not good because it has a linkage with quality of life, general & mental health and so many more parameters. We need initiatives and incentives which will facilitate creation of jobs in various sectors right here in the West.

5. Proper utilisation of human resources: Western Sydney is very multicultural in nature with >40% of people with some connection with overseas ancestries. Western Sydney is generally the first place where new migrants choose to live. There are obvious reasons for this to happen. This phenomenon gives some boost to the economy, particularly housing and retail sectors, but more can happen, if dealt with smartly. What I have seen and heard is that their training and skills obtained overseas are not properly utilized. This happens mostly on the pretext of lack of “local” experience, leading to rejections of their applications for jobs. I believe that this should be addressed by offering incentives to the employers to employ suitable new migrants who have skills/training for the job, with provision of more active supervision and assistance for bridging courses/training to get them up to speed, if necessary. A smart country like Australia must utilise migrants who it accepted as residents fully and appropriately, making them a part of the economy.  

6. Industry & Infrastructure: More industries and infrastructure projects in the region will obviously create more jobs and rejuvenate Western Sydney. To encourage these projects and industries, and to kick start the economic growth of Western Sydney, Govts of all levels should offer incentives to the businesses to set their bases in the West.

7. Health services: The waiting lists for health services are bigger with longer waiting times in the West. Even emergency services take longer to be delivered compared to the East. Funding for the services must be such that they are equitable, sufficient and appropriate, not only for acute services but also for preventive services ie health education, and community care.

8. Airport: Independent studies have told us that Sydney will need second airport soon. Current airport will not cope with further load for long. If second airport is not coming forth, it will affect the economic growth of NSW. Multiple sites have been mentioned but they all get bogged down in politics. Politicians start worrying about votes. It is about time that Govts and politicians focus on economy, not just votes. If Sydney’s second airport has to be created, it has to be in Sydney basin, not Canberra. It will cost money [Approx. $10 billions] but then every mega project which is essential for our economy will need investment. An airport in Western Sydney is expected to give a major boost to the economy in the West, creating an environment for infrastructure projects and employment opportunities equivalent of approx. 40000 jobs,

9. WSROC & other stake holders: Wester Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils is a perfect group, comprising of Councils of Western Sydney. They know what is required in the region. Their views will be of significant importance. They along with key leaders from businesses, public policy and communities should be used as the key stakeholders for debates, analysis and sounding boards.

10. Cost of living: It is an important issue all over Australia but more so in Western Sydney. Rising prices of essential commodities like food, rising cost of electricity, high rents, cost of education, child care, high cost of petrol and so many items which are needed for day to day living are all adding to the pressure. Carbon tax has been an issue although not as bad as was predicted and there are some support available to compensate struggling families. No one can deny that there are people and families who/which are really struggling. Everything must be done to ease the pressure on them.

Two million people of Western Sydney need comprehensive policies/plans for the economic growth of the region. These policies must be outlined now and must be properly costed with source of funding outlined.

People in Western Sydney are smart people and they can see through the slogans and spins.

 We need decent, honest and meaningful plans/policies for the long term, not just for the election in Sept 2013.

A word of caution for both major parties: We want substance, not spins!

Dr Yadu Singh/Sydney/4th March, 2013

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