Current plans by the Federal Government to sell the Brisbane Airport and exempt it from local planning controls will give Brisbane's people very little say in what may happen at the Airport" said Michael Petter Convenor Brisbane Region Environment Centre.
In its Airport Billl 1996 the Federal Government exempted futire development of the airport precincts from environmental inpaccct rules and State and Local planning rules. The airport has since erected signs calling for expressions of interest in a new "Business Park" on airport land.
"There will be no real right of public involvement or scrutiny and little appeal rights. We could wake up one mornning to find the private owner plans to build a huge commercial and industrial development complete with noxious industries and we will only have 90 days to object," he continued.
"At best I believe that the Federal Government is offering this protection against planning laws as a commercial sweetener for potential buyers, or at worst the Federal Government is donning its own white shoes," he said.
The airport borders two major natural areas. the Ramsar listed Moreton Bay and the Boondall Wetlands Reserve. Several communities potentially affected by activities on the Airport land are Hemmant, Cannon Hill, Northgate, and Pinkenba.. Airport noise already affects a large number of Brisbane suburbs.
None of these communities are assured of any real say in what happens at the Airport. If we get an increase in air freight traffic to service the new businesses at the airport, aircraft noise will sky rocket. Plans for the sale and redevlopment of the airport must take into account the public right to know and to participate in planning that can greatly affect them.
| Michael Petter | |
| Convenor Brisbane | 07 3899 0537 |
| Region Environment Centre |