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Canley Vale plane crash: Bankstown airport expansion should be resisted
Tuesday 15 June 2010
Greens MP and transport spokesperson Lee Rhiannon today expressed her condolences to the family of those killed in light plane crash at Canley Vale today. Ms Rhiannon is urging Federal Transport Minister Anthony Albanese to reject the current proposal by Bankstown Airport to expand operations, with this crash illustrating the possibility of accidents over this densely populated residential area.
"This fatal crash tragically highlights the risks to residents living and working under Bankstown Airport's flight path. The current bid by Bankstown Airport's owners to expand operations should be very carefully considered by Minister Albanese in this context," Ms Rhiannon said.
"The Bankstown Airport owners, BAC Airports, submitted a final proposed master plan to Minister Albanese in March and are now awaiting sign off.
"BAC Airports is keen to soak up some of the overflow from Sydney Airport, including low cost regional domestic services and smaller jets.
"Expanding operations at Bankstown Airport brings with it substantial safety and noise implications for those living cheek to jowl with the facility.
"Minister Albanese must carefully weigh up whether expanding an already busy airport near a densely populated residential airport is worth the risk.
"Another crash like this, that occurred so close to a local school, should never be repeated," Ms Rhiannon said.
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