Only Federal Funding Will Deliver Sydney's Second Airport

The new minister for planning in New South Wales, Stuart Ayres MP, has declared that both the funding and the decision for the long awaited second airport should be the responsibility of the Australian Federal Government.

''My clear message to them would be, if you are not prepared to invest in the infrastructure, quite simply, the airport will not work.'' 

Both business leaders and residents in Sydney's Western suburbs have been calling for an additional airport located 60kms west of the Sydney CBD at Badgery's Creek, but a decision has been delayed by concerns over costs, environmental and noise issues, and a lack of political will.

Mr Ayres, MP for Penrith, seeks to provide a voice for the Western Suburbs and will split his time between the planning role with that as Minister for Fair Trading.