Senate debates

Thursday, 17 August 2006

Retail Development at Sydney Airport

9:38 am

Photo of Kerry NettleKerry Nettle (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—
(a)
notes:
(i)
that Sydney Airports Corporation Limited plans to build a massive 50 400 square metre retail development on airport land,
(ii)
that non-aeronautical development at Sydney Airport is currently exempt from state and local planning laws,
(iii)
the concern of local councils, businesses and residents about the adverse effects of this development on their communities and local businesses,
(iv)
that the amended major development plan has been sent directly to the Minister for consideration without renewed public consultation, and
(v)
similar concerns are being expressed by the community regarding non-aeronautical developments at other airports around Australia; and
(b)
calls on the Government to:
(i)
direct Sydney Airports Corporation Limited to undertake another round of consultation with the community and other stakeholders before the amended plan is considered by the Minister, and
(ii)
ensure that the legislative response to the review of the Airports Act 1996 includes removing the exemption from state and local government planning laws for non-aeronautical development and ensure that such development is subject to relevant state and local planning laws to ensure appropriate consultation, development and public accountability.

Question put.

9:41 am

Photo of Kerry O'BrienKerry O'Brien (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Transport) Share this | | Hansard source

by leave—The opposition did not support that motion, although we agree with many parts of it. We proposed an amendment to clause (b)(ii) in relation to the powers of the Commonwealth and Commonwealth land. In the absence of an agreement on that, we were forced to vote no.