Progressing the preliminary airspace and flight paths for Western Sydney's new airport

Today, I have authorised the preliminary airspace and flight paths for Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI) to progress towards implementation, marking a critical milestone in the lead-up to operations commencing in 2026.

When making this decision, the needs of the community have been front of mind, which is why I have imposed a number of additional measures to ensure the impact on residents and the environment is minimised. 

These measures represent the most comprehensive of their kind for any airspace development in Australia. 

Firstly, I will be issuing a ministerial directive to Airservices Australia to prioritise ‘Reciprocal Runway Operations’ as the default operating mode at night, including the use of a specific ‘Noise Abatement Procedure’, when both safe to do so. 

This will achieve the overall lowest possible impact on surrounding communities, and will direct aircraft away from the Blue Mountains, Wallacia, and the most heavily populated areas of Western Sydney at night. 

Today’s authorisation also incorporates recommendations by the Minister for Environment that the airport lesee company, WSA Co, establish an environmental monitoring program to monitor the impacts of aircraft noise within and adjacent to the Greater Blue Mountains Area. 

This is an important step to ensure the protection of the Greater Blue Mountains Area’s natural and cultural significance. It is in addition to the community noise monitoring program that will be undertaken by Airservices, who will soon begin consultation with local communities on the location of noise monitors.

A community engagement forum will also be established to monitor and resolve aircraft noise and flight path issues during the early years of operation.

This will connect WSA Co, Airservices Australia, and the community, and is in addition to the Community Aviation Consultation Group that WSA Co will establish to operate on matters relevant to the airport.

Today’s authorisation follows extensive community consultation to ensure potential impacts were transparent and communities were well placed to understand and engage, including through more than 50 in-person and online information sessions across Greater Sydney. 

Public feedback from these consultations as well as the 8,400 submissions to the draft EIS have informed the additional measures attached to this decision. They build on measures already being delivered by the Australian Government, including a noise insulation program for residents who may be most impacted by overflight noise, with applications set to open later this year. 

WSI is already creating thousands of jobs during construction and will continue to deliver long-term employment opportunities, boost economic activity and provide significant transport benefits for Western Sydney. 

This is a long-term project – air traffic won’t pick up for some time, but these conditions, along with relevant environmental requirements, mean that we are balancing the growth of the airport, with the needs of the communities on the ground.

The preliminary airspace and flight paths are outlined in the final EIS, which can continue to be viewed at wsiflightpaths.gov.au.