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The proposed plan for the upgrade and expansion of the Parkes Airport

Parkes Airport Development

The Parkes Airport Development proposal involves the upgrade and expansion of the existing Parkes Airport to facilitate the direct export of perishable agricultural produce from the Central West region of Australia. The following information has been provided by Connell Wagner to answer questions about the proposal.

What is the proposal?

The proposal involves the upgrade and expansion of the existing Parkes Airport to facilitate the direct export of perishable agricultural produce from the Central West region of Australia. The proposal would involve:   

• Demolition of existing facilities at the airport and replacement with   dedicated facilities for freight handling as well as facilities for the   existing regional airline and private operations. 
• Creation of additional areas for the development of airport related   industries and uses such as freight handling facilities and cool stores. 
• Construction a new 3,800 metre long runway to allow for a variety of   aircraft types including Boeing 747 class aircraft. 
• Closure of the existing east-west (or "cross") runway. 
• Diversion of Main Road No.61 (the Orange Road) to the south around the   extended runway and a small diversion of Shire Road No.17 to the north. 
• Refurbishment of the Mugincoble fuel depot and installation of a fuel   transfer pipeline from this facility to a smaller airport dewatering and   holding facility, and 
• Acquisition of approximately 200ha of land to accommodate the proposed   facilities. 

What is the aim of the proposal?

The aim of the proposal is to reduce costs and delays associated with the  transfer of perishable agricultural produce from the Central West region of  Australia and avoid the need to transfer this produce to capital city airport  facilities. It is anticipated that it will stimulate economic growth in the  Central West region. The proposal is anticipated to directly create 100-200 new  full time positions, with many more being created indirectly.

Has the proposal been approved?

Yes. An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Development Application (DA)  were prepared and publicly exhibited by Parkes Shire Council in 1997. Following  consideration of all submissions to the exhibition of the EIS (including  submissions from the community and from public authorities), Parkes Shire  Council approved the proposal on 11 December 1997.

What are the predicted impacts of the proposal on Parkes?

The EIS prepared for the facility undertook an exhaustive assessment of the  proposal and its potential impacts. The EIS investigated the following issues in  detail: 

• Noise 
• Roads, Traffic and Transport  
• Air Quality 
• Flora/Fauna 
• Geology and Soil 
• Socio-Economic Issues 
• Water 
• Contamination 
• Visual Impacts 
• Archaeology and Heritage 
• Risks and Hazards 
• Contributions to Climate Change 

Copies of the EIS can be obtained from Parkes Shire Council for a small  fee. Please email Planning &  Environment or phone 02 6861 2333.

The EIS identified noise as a key potential impact on the local community.  This issue was discussed at considerable length in the EIS and it was determined  that the main areas of noise impact were north-south along the main runway axis.  The properties that were most affected by this noise impact were proposed to be  acquired and this remains the intention should the proposal proceed. The main  urban areas of Parkes, East Parkes and the majority of the Military Road area  were not considered to have significant adverse noise levels if the proposal  proceeded.

The EIS acknowledged that the proposal would introduce new noise sources into  the area. However, taking account of the proposed environmental controls  (including restrictions in flight paths), acquisition of key affected properties  and the relatively limited number of flights proposed (18 in any one day), the  EIS concluded that the impacts from noise would not be significant.

A range of other potential impacts were also identified in the EIS in  addition to measures to reduce identified impacts to acceptable levels. The EIS  concluded that proposal would not have a significant impact on the area provided  the adoption and implementation of appropriate management plans took place.  These included an Environmental Management Plan, an Airport Emergency Plan and  an Airport Operational Plan. The requirement for these documents and controls  were outlined in detail in the EIS.

What is the approval  process for the proposal?

The approval process has not yet been completed. While the DA has been  approved, there are a range of additional approvals that will be required  including construction certificates (CCs) and the final Environmental Management  Plan. Further, any changes to the proposal will require additional consent from  Parkes Shire Council (and other authorities as relevant), as well as further  environmental assessment.

What consultation has been undertaken, and what further consultation will be  undertaken?

The following consultations were undertaken as part of the approval of the  proposal: 

• During the Environmental Impact Assessment process, relevant governmental   authorities were consulted, and all issues raised through this process were   incorporated and addressed in the EIS. 
• Owners of property adjacent to, or directly affected by the proposal were   personally notified of the proposal and invited to make submissions which were   considered by Council as part of the EIS assessment process. 
• General community consultation. This involved regular public notices and   media releases in local newspapers, public display of the development proposal   and EIS, a community meeting as well as the provision of a telephone number   for the public to discuss the proposal with Council. All submissions received   were also incorporated into the assessment process. 
• Regular updates in regards to the status of the proposal will continue   most likely through the local newspapers. Residents are also able contact   Council and join a dedicated mailing list to receive all notices in relation   to the proposal. Any future changes to the proposal will be advertised in this   manner, and if deemed to be significant, may require an additional formal   community consultation period. 

Further Details

Parkes Shire Council is committed to an open and transparent process and will  continue to keep the community informed of the proposal. If you have any  questions regarding the proposal or want further details, please contact or write to the contact below.

Contact details
General Manager
02 6861 2333 (ph)
02 6862 3946 (fax)
council@parkes.nsw.gov.au

© 2008 Parkes Shire Council
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