Australian Aviation Green Paper released

[Nigel C]

Unfortunately you can't be so shortsighted as to where the population is around the airport. Sure, from the west the only settlements of size are Richmond and North Richmond, but from the east you have Windsor and the Rouse Hill/Castle Hill area, the former becoming another Campbelltown size population.

Also, as previously stated a couple of times, the fog in Richmond can be pretty bad for extended periods.

[Michael Mak]

Originally Posted by Clarke P

Is there any reason nobody suggested Heathcote? I've never actually been to Heathcote and am rather clueless about the area, so forgive me if this is utter stupidity, but on the map it appears to be a rather "vacant" area with sufficient access by road and closer to the current Sydney Airport than other alternatives.

The large vacant area you've mentioned would be Heathcote National Park? It's right next to the catchment area and the large population based around the area in the Sutherland Shire would make it extremely difficult to build a airport.

If it is used as a secondary airport then its close proximity to YSSY would make the project impossible.

[Nigel C]

Add to that the masses of ravines in that area, which is why I thought Madden's Plains further south might be an option until Andrew scotched that idea for the same reason!

[Andrew McLaughlin]

Originally Posted by Nigel C

Add to that the masses of ravines in that area, which is why I thought Madden's Plains further south might be an option until Andrew scotched that idea for the same reason!

Sorry to 'scotch' you there mate - it's just that there are ravines further south too.

Any elevation variations in the terrain of more than 100 feet would likely require some pretty unique engineering and environmental solutions. The area along the top of the escarpment between Stanwell Tops/Darkes Forest and where Appin Rd crosses the highway varies between 900ft and 1300ft in elevation.

[Nigel C]

Just bring in the Chinese...they seem to know how to fill a valley in with the mountain that surrounds it for the sake of development!

[Andrew McLaughlin]

Originally Posted by Nigel C

Just bring in the Chinese...they seem to know how to fill a valley in with the mountain that surrounds it for the sake of development!

And to hell with the environment! Look at the Three Gorges Dam!!!

[NickN]

What would be fantastic is a HUGE island constructed 1km out to sea with the airport on it. Something akin to the Palm Island idea, but bigger so we can have 3 runways, serviced by an underground futuristic rail network.

In order to work, Nigel will have to call the Chinese in, they seem to be good at these things. Might make spotting somewhat of a bitch, you'll need a boat as well as a camera.

[Michael Mak]

Originally Posted by NickN

What would be fantastic is a HUGE island constructed 1km out to sea with the airport on it. Something akin to the Palm Island idea, but bigger so we can have 3 runways, serviced by an underground futuristic rail network.

In order to work, Nigel will have to call the Chinese in, they seem to be good at these things. Might make spotting somewhat of a bitch, you'll need a boat as well as a camera.

The Japanese has this expertise! KIX and NGO are good examples.

[Andrew McLaughlin]

Originally Posted by Michael Mak

The Japanese has this expertise! KIX and NGO are good examples.

...both of which are built on the Inland Sea or a sheltered bay, neither of which have the same issues as one that might be built on the open ocean.

[NickN]

Loks like the guys from the Palm Island project may be needed. Would cost a fortune but what a great drawcard for the tourism trade.