Federal Member for Chifley Ed Husic and Federal Member for Greenway Michelle Rowland today urged the Abbott/Turnbull Government to engage in proper and meaningful dialogue with locals over the Western Sydney Airport draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
The pair have written to Deputy Prime Minister and Infrastructure Minister Warren Truss to raise their objections to Government plans to hold just a single community information session within the boundaries of the Blacktown Local Government Area (LGA).
Blacktown Council is the largest council area in the state and is also likely to be affected by the proposed flight paths yet residents will only have one meeting, just one chance to raise their views about the proposed 24hr a day airport, Ms Rowland and Mr Husic said.
Worse still, the meeting will be held during a workday limiting the opportunity for residents to attend due to work and family commitments.
It seems like the Abbott/Turnbull government is trying to sidestep its obligations to properly consult communities affected by this airport.
The two Western Sydney Labor MPs said that the onus was on the Abbott/Turnbull Government to address residents concerns and have demanded further resident information sessions to ensure that all Blacktown LGA residents clearly understand the implications of the draft EIS.
Importantly, the additional session should be held on a weekend as has been planned for the Penrith Council area to give residents a genuine opportunity to have their legitimate questions and concerns properly addressed.
MEDIA CONTACT: NATHAN METCHER, (HUSIC) 0447 667 165
NICK TRAINOR, (ROWLAND) 0407 078 138