For some in Macquarie, the beginning of passenger flights at Western Sydney international airport isn't especially welcome, primarily due to the fears of aircraft noise 24/7. There are a range of views. To date, the hard-won restrictions on flights implemented by the Albanese government have minimised aircraft noise, meaning that for some people the noise is barely noticeable. The restrictions include the night-time reciprocal runway operations, which preferences take-offs and landings towards the south-west when possible; the strict noise abatement procedure; and the sharing of flights over the whole Sydney basin. These restrictions came about thanks to our community's dedicated and persistent involvement in each stage of the WSI consultations, resulting in significant improvements to the original proposal of a single merge point over Blaxland. But the noise has still intruded on the tranquillity of our region, including the changes to Kingsford Smith and Bankstown airports, with smaller planes moving across the mountains much more often.

The starting of passenger flights means increased activity at Western Sydney international airport from now on, which means we will hear more aircraft. My message to people who are affected by the noise is, by all means, share your frustration on social media. But it's not enough to post on social media a photo of the flight path of the plane that disturbed you. It's not enough to email me alone. For there to be credible data that backs up the feedback I provide on the flight path impacts, I urge people disturbed by noise to record a formal complaint to the Noise Complaints and Information Service at Airservices Australia. I know a formal report involves additional time and energy, so I have a set of links on my website on flight operations, runway modes and complaints options to make it easier, especially for residents who are new to the area or are hearing noise for the first time. I'll be continuing my advocacy regarding the noise impacts on residents, businesses and our natural environment based on the feedback people provide.

While concern about aircraft noise is the dominant response to the opening of the new airport, I welcome the involvement of Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury and Nepean businesses in providing services and growing their businesses to meet the anticipated demand on the ground at the airport. Plate Hospitality chef Matt Atkins has been providing catering services to the airport for some time, and he runs a proud Indigenous local business. Blue Mountains and Emu Plains brewery, Mountain Culture, makers of multi-award-winning craft brew Status Quo, is opening two venues at the airport. It's now up to other local businesses to seize tourism opportunities so that benefits flow through to our local economies.

For the north-west of Sydney to really maximise benefits from the airport for both departing travellers and inbound tourists alike, transport connections need to improve. The Commonwealth is already investing heavily in rail connections, with the new metro from St Marys to Bradfield, and with a further $1 billion provision to start the works on an extension south to Leppington and Macarthur. But the next step has to be filling the missing link of those connections into north-west Sydney. I support my local Penrith mayor, and my other colleagues, in seeing this missing link addressed with urgency. The St Marys to Tallawong gap, with Schofields serving as a hub for the existing Richmond line and the new line to St Marys, would seem to be the most logical approach and provide much-improved connectivity for the Hawkesbury. The project is already listed as a priority by Infrastructure Australia, recognising that this is a project for the New South Wales government to develop and bring forward. When it's ready, I want to see the Commonwealth and New South Wales governments work together on the next stage of developing these connections.

My advocacy for the people of Macquarie on issues relating to Western Sydney airport is far from over. The formal community engagement forum to consider flight path issues will be created soon and provide a dedicated forum for noise matters. Noise monitors are already in place across the electorate, which you can see online in real time, and they'll move to various locations, over time, to paint a picture of the noise. Something we already know is that it's not a uniform impact, and we need to build that picture. So the start of passenger flights means just one thing to me: the next phase of work to fight for the best possible protections for my community is just beginning.