New South Wales Planning Minister Frank Sartor said the Federal Government is abusing the Airports Act in approving non-aeronautical commercial projects like the current proposal to develop a massive mall at the end of Sydney’s third runaway.
State and Territory ministers have unanimously endorsed NSW’s push to overhaul planning rules for non-aviation developments on airport land.
Sartor said the Commonwealth Government was abusing the Airports Act to approve commercial projects on land set aside for vital airport services.
“The current proposal for a massive mall at the end of Sydney’s third runway flies in the face of sensible planning for the city’s growth.
“The NSW Government fully supports job-generating development – but it should not be considered in isolation from the surrounding community,” he added.
Sartor said the impact of cramming shopping centres and other commercial activities into airport precincts is a major issue confronting cities across Australia.
“Inappropriate development is squeezing out aviation activities and creating traffic snarls for travellers,” he added.
According to the Productivity Commission, it is also generating enormous profits for airport operators, with up to 70% of revenue at Australia’s privatised airports earned from non-aeronautical activities.
“This is no longer a transport issue, but a question of proper planning and land use.
“The Airports Act allows the Federal Transport Minister to effectively rubberstamp these proposals, even though such developments have nothing to do with aviation and are contrary to sensible planning principles,” Sartor said.
The meeting of State and Territory Local Government and Planning Ministers and the Australian Local Government Association has unanimously backed NSW calls for an independent panel to review all airport master plans and major planning proposals and for all non-aviation development (excluding defence and terminal facilities) to be subject to State and Territory planning laws.
Whilst non-aviation development control at airport remains with the Commonwealth it should provide clarification as to how it will enforce conditions of development approval placed on airport lessee companies and what role State and Territory Government’s are expected to play in relation to these conditions.
The Planning Ministers said the issue would be raised at the next COAG meeting.
By Kathryn O’Meara
