An aerial photograph of Badgerys Creek Rd, Badgerys Creek / Pic: Craig Greenhill Source: The Daily Telegraph
RICHMOND air base in north-western Sydney could be opened up to five million domestic air passengers every year under a plan which is to be considered by the federal government as an interim measure to a second Sydney airport.
The RAAF base - about 60km from Sydney - could start initial operations as a local western Sydney commercial airport as early as 2017, starting with one million passengers a year, to relieve pressure on Mascot until a second airport can be built 40km away at Badgerys Creek.
In an unexpected blow to the option of building a new facility at Wilton, a report by the federal government found it could be too costly and was at risk of mine subsidence.
The Department of Transport and Infrastructure report is the second in 12 months to find Badgerys Creek in western Sydney was the better option for Sydney's long-term aviation needs and could be fully built for $2.4 billion - $1 billion cheaper than Wilton.
The $2.4 billion for Badgerys includes rail and road links to the airport and a single runway able to handle 20 million passengers a year - the size of Brisbane airport.
Previous cost estimates were considerably higher as they were based on multiple runways and a bigger airport.
However, it also found Richmond could be used cheaply to cater for up to 35 aircraft landings and take-offs an hour in the meantime, without interfering with military operations.
Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese will today confirm the government will explore the option of Richmond as a temporary second airport option.
Conceding the report presented significant challenges for Wilton as the preferred option, he said the government would also undertake geotechnical studies to further determine its viability. It is almost certain a decision on whether Wilton or Badgerys Creek is given the green light won't be made until after the federal election in September.
But the report, regarded as the definitive say on the options for Sydney's second airport, overwhelmingly backed Badgerys Creek.
It showed little development had taken place in the past 15 years around the site and it would take less time to build than the 17 years for Wilton.
It also found Badgerys Creek would have less ecological impact and create more jobs and investment.
More damning was the finding that Wilton would not be able to provide the needed capacity over the next 50 years as it was too far from Sydney's main population centres.
But it did not rule out Wilton altogether, claiming it was possible as an option but would require significant work with potential unforeseen challenges - and costs - as a greenfields site.
Mr Albanese will today announce work will begin to explore opening up Richmond to civil aviation to relieve pressure from the congested Sydney airport.
"Sydney needs a second airport sooner rather than later and there are limited options for a greenfield site," he said.
"Opening Richmond to civil aviation could ultimately allow five million passengers to pass through the airport each year."
Federal Labor policy is to oppose Badgerys Creek, with several western Sydney MPs still campaigning against it.
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