Master Plan
The Master Plan for Bankstown Airport was drafted in 1982. At
various times, airport managers have referred to it as
justification for recent works (for example, see Bankstown Express, Friday April
10th, 1998). At other times, it has been dismissed
as a Draft document "of no status" (e.g. evidence to Legislative
Council Committee, 20th August, 1988, residents inquiries circa
1982).
Figure 5 from it shows the proposed future layout, with the
11C/29C runway at 1570 m (and clearly over the drain now just 15 m
beyond the 29C end).
To download a copy of the Master Plan layout (316KB) click on Master Plan Diagram.
What is a Master Plan
"An aerodrome master plan is a document, comprising text and
drawings, that sets out the current and planned future location of
an aerodrome and its critical facilities and presents an effective
framework within which its future development can take place"
[RPA98, 21-1]
"A master plan is a dynamic, evolving document. It is not a
development plan, but forms the basis of such plans."
"The aerodrome master plan is required to provide adequately for
future aviation traffic, passenger flows, ground traffic and
various commercial functions, within acceptable social and
environmental constraints. This planned needs to be undertaken in
the context of firstly, providing for a balance between the
aerodrome's airside and landside operations and secondly,
maximising its commercial and economic benefits.
"In order to achieve these master plan
objectives, it is necessary to consult and
involve as appropriate, all relevant parties, especially
those whose cooperation is essential. This includes the
Commonwealth, State and local governments, the aviation industry
and the community" [RPA98,
p21-1]
The Airports Act 1996 specifies in some details the requirements
for airport master plans (refer Division 3), including the
requirements for draft and final master plans. From the AIRPORTS
ACT 1996 - SECT 69:
- The following is a simplified outline of this Division:
- For each airport, there is to be a final master plan.
- A final master plan is a draft master plan that has been
approved by the Minister.
- A draft master plan is prepared by an airport-lessee company
after taking into account public comments.
- A final master plan is relevant to the approval of major
developments at the airport.
Section 70 explicitly indicates that a new draft master plan
isto be submitted before expiry of old plan. Yet, in Bankstown's
case there is apparently no final master plan, and the Airport
Environment Officer believes a ministerial exemption allows the
airport to proceed until Year 2000 without one.
Why hasn't the community in Bankstown and surrounding areas been
consulted about the 1982 Master Plan, or other works at the airport
? Why has BAL been given so long to prepare its master plan ?
BAL has an airport consultative committee whose sole community
representative is very unrepresentative of the local community, and
may have very close ties with the aviation industry. At the time
the 1982 Master Plan was drafted, concerned local residents were
told it was a document "of no status". We are supposed to believe
that all the development from 1940 to date has happened without any
planning. Can you believe that ? If it was so, isn't it a worry
what such a lack of planning would mean for the future ?
BAL managers have described the current works at the eastern end
(29) of 11/29C runway as innocent "drainage" works.
The Drain |
|
Photo taken 12th August 1998, from Milperra Rd boundary fence.
There seems to have been little work done at the runway end of the
drain (far distance, near pipe end). Does it look like this could
have been the source of the earthworks in the photos of Rays Golf
Range below ? Or have they come from excavating the new hard stand
? |