Airport plan fails to take off

The motion was defeated in Federal Parliament early this month.

The Airport Amendments Bill was voted down by Labor and Liberal members on the overall consensus that such controls would add too much pressure on State Governments.

Grayndler Labor MP Anthony Albanese voted with his party on the issue.

Marrickville Greens Councillor Saeed Khan said the failure by the federal Labor Party to support the amendment was a negative reflection on the credibility of Labor members such as Mr Albanese.

"Responsibility for impacts on the community should be a cornerstone of planning at all levels of government. Even if the airport is on federal land it should not be able to avoid that responsibility and should be subject to state and local planning laws like everyone else," Cr Khan said. Debate over airport planning controls intensified following Sydney Airport Corporation's plan to build a $200 million shopping complex.

The plan was rejected by Federal Transport Minister Mark Vaile due to safety concerns. The proposed amendment was accompanied by written support from all premiers to hand over planning powers to State governments.

Cr Khan said the NSW Government and the Local Government and Shires Associations of NSW wanted the SACL development and expansion plans bought into line.

Mr Albanese said that Sydney Airport was a very important infrastructural asset and he would constantly resist the "lunatic fringe" in his electorate that want the airport shut down, as it would be a disaster for the local economy.

But he also said that in order for the airport to work effectively for the community, the Federal Government needed to regulate its behaviour properly.

"We believe that by having proper consultation you can bring the community, who have a rational view about these issues, with you," Mr Albanese said. "The Greens position on these issues is to shut Sydney Airport, but they will not say where a replacement airport should go," Mr Albanese said.

"That might be fine, because you could still get into Sydney, but you would have to parachute out of the plane."

 http://www.villagevoice.com.au/article/20070424/NWS09/704240316/-1/nws/Airport+plan+fails+to+take+off