Somersby airport could be front runner
It is heartening that the issue of a second airport for Sydney is part of the national government's National Aviation Policy Green Paper.
The very comprehensive 1985 study, Second Sydney Airport Site Selection Program, which initially identified 10 options, listed Somersby as "a middle distance option" which, overall, was then only slightly less favourable than Wilton.
Badgery's Creek and Wilton were the two preferred options but Badgery's Creek ended up tops.
The new government's Green Paper rules out Badgery's Creek.
That site's location in the Sydney Basin is a major environmental handicap.
Wilton is on the boundary of the Basin and is situated in the Sydney water catchment area. There are other environmental concerns as well.
While several other aspects have also changed somewhat the study is still valuable for further consideration and updating.
Somersby would now be a front runner.
Given the plans to develop a northern line freight line, the Central Coast passenger services could soon improve as well.
Constructing and operating a second international airport at Somersby would no doubt create much needed employment and business on the Central Coast.
It would also reduce Central Coast commuter traffic and assist in decongesting Kingsford Smith Airport.
Klaas Woldring,
Pearl Beach