Development restrictions associated with the now axed Badgerys Creek airport plan are forcing a high economic and social cost onto residents and must be dropped, says the Urban Taskforce.
"These rules prevent approval of new homes, schools and hospitals in areas that might be heavily impacted by aircraft noise," said Urban Taskforce's chief executive, Aaron Gadiel. "They also ban any industrial activity that may pose aviation risks."
Earlier this year, and after years of uncertainty among residents, the federal government announced that an airport at Badgerys Creek was no longer on the cards. However, development applications in the area still need to meet the restrictions that were in place before this decision was made.
"There's no point holding development activity back to accommodate a future airport, if no one has any intention of building one," Gadiel said.
Byron Clima, director at BAC Design in Prestons, NSW, believes that while people are still building in the area, residents are concerned about the added cost of having to complete an acoustics report before construction can commence. Residents in the proposed flight path and restriction zones also have to incorporate in their designs noise-reducing techniques such as double-glazed windows and double insulation in ceilings.
"It's more of a cost for the client, and it's a delay in drawing. But you can't do much about it," Clima said.
