Sydney Airport master plan for terminals approved by federal government
Jamie Freed
The Sydney Morning Herald
Sydney Airport’s latest master plan, which calls for combining domestic and international operations at shared terminals, has been approved by the federal government.
But federal Infrastructure and Regional Development Minister Warren Truss says his approval does not negate the need for a second airport in Sydney.
“While the plan sets out plans to use the airport’s limited growth potential to full effect, it does not change the underlying constraints on the site and it is clear the Sydney region will need another major airport to cope with soaring demand,” he said.
Sydney Airport on Tuesday said it welcomed approval of the 20-year master plan, which would meet the forecast demand of 74 million passengers in 2033, up from 38 million in 2013.
“The initiatives we outline in the Master Plan 2033 will meet the needs of our customers by delivering a superior passenger experience, improving the efficiency of the airport, enhancing safety and maximizing capacity at Sydney Airport,” chief executive Kerrie Mather said.
The master plan for the next 20 years is based on no changes to the curfew, aircraft movement cap, noise sharing, access arrangements or flight paths.
However, it contains improved ground transport solutions developed in collaboration with the NSW government.
But it will allow the airport to combine domestic and international operations to help maximize capacity if it can reach agreement with the airlines.
To date, Virgin has opposed the prospect of moving its domestic and international operations to the current international terminal, which is located further away from the CBD.
Sydney Airport might also need to reach an agreement with Qantas on buying back the lease on Terminal 3 if it would like to combine domestic and international operations in the current domestic precinct before the lease expires in 2019.
In a draft version of its master plan, Sydney Airport said it had enough capacity for the airport to remain as the only major airport in Sydney through the period up to 2033 under discussion.
However, the government is expected to select Badgerys Creek as the site of a second Sydney airport later this year.
Sydney Airport will have the first right of refusal over the development.
Sydney Airport said it would finalize details of the master plan with the federal government before publishing the plan on the airport’s website within 50 business days as outlined by legislation.
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The Australian Government approved Sydney Airport’s new Master Plan 2033 on the 17th of February, 2014. This master plan replaces the previous 2009 master plan.
The master plan outlines the strategic direction for the airport’s development over the next 20 years. It includes an assessment of the future needs of airlines and other airport users, a land use zoning plan, forecast changes in the number of airline passengers, flights and the volume of air freight, information about aircraft noise and the plans for dealing with any environmental issues associated with implementing the new master plan.
The master plan also outlines significant investments to improve traffic flow in and around the passenger terminal precincts.
The master plan is based on:
No change to the curfew
No change to the aircraft movement cap
No change to noise sharing arrangements
No change to access arrangements for regional airlines
No new flight paths or runways.
A five-year Environment Strategy and Ground Transport Plan are also included in the master plan.
Sydney Airport is owned by over 38,000 investors, via a listing on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX:SYD).
ASX listed SYD owns 100% of Sydney Airport as of 23 September 2013, following the purchase of the unlisted minority holders.
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Existing Sydney Airport Terminals
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Video: Sydney Airport airplane take-off view
Showing views of the venues from the former Sydney 2000 Summer Olympic Games
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