Richmond/ RAAF base could be modernised

The RAAF supports opening up the Richmond base to civil access, as it is compatible with its plans for a reduced presence and would extend the life of the RAAF base at the location, said the authors of the Joint Study on aviation capacity for the Sydney region. It said RAAF Richmond could be modernised for as little as $150 million to handle around a million passengers a year. Providing civilian access to the site based on use of the existing runway would serve the growth of North West Sydney and Western Sydney.” the study said

Richmond. RAAF base ruled out

Sydney Airport CEO, Kerrie Mather, says she will defend the company’s first right of refusal to build and operate a second Sydney airport, including any conversion of the Royal Australia Air Force base, at Richmond, to regular passenger use. The Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Anthony Albanese, issued a report to investigate Richmond airport for “limited civil operations” to help ease constraints at Sydney Airport.

Richmond. Open up RAAF Base

The Department of Defence should open RAAF Base Richmond to commercial flights. John Lee, head of Tourism and Transport Forum, will hold a meeting with the Minister for Defence, Stephen Smith, on Wednesday, to lobby that the base and Garden Island be opened up, according to The Daily Telegraph. He said Richmond was a practical and sensible solution to ensure seats for customers, and the capacity to grow in future years. He said Richmond was a practical alternative given the present stalemate over possible airport sites at Badgerys Creek and Wilton.

Richmond. 'Some elements' for RAAF Base

MD, of Canberra Airport, Stephen Byron, said there probably would never be a true second Sydney Airport - rather a number of existing airports, such as, Newcastle and perhaps Bankstown and Richmond would handle some elements of Sydney's aviation demand. “But Canberra will shoulder the greatest share of that growth over time,” he told a New South Wales Transport. Canberra Airport is currently undergoing a $350 million terminal upgrade which would transform it into a 24-hour freight hub.

Richmond. RAAF Base the 'preferred' option

Warren Bennett, from the Board of Airline Representatives, told ABC Radio, the RAAF Base, at Richmond, was its preferred option for a permanent second city airport simply because an airport located away from a large population centre would not viable. “In order for an airport to be viable, it has to have access to both domestic and international traffic and it has to have access to both inbound and outbound traffic. If you don't have both of that, then you are not going to have a viable airport,” he said.

Richmond. Community says no more planes

A proposal to temporarily allow commercial flights into Richmond RAAF base is a Trojan horse that would lead to it permanently becoming Sydney's second international airport, Hawkesbury Mayor, Bart Bassett, said. The the community opposed the plan, he said. The Sydney Morning has reported the base could be opened up to commercial airline traffic as the Federal Government searches for a permanent airport site. A long-awaited aviation white paper will be released next month.

Richmond. Commercial planes possible

The Rudd Government is expected to pave the way for the Richmond air force base to be opened up to commercial airline traffic when it releases its long-awaited aviation white paper next month, according to The Sydney Morning Herald. As part of the revamp of aviation policy, the blueprint will renew the search for a permanent site for a second Sydney airport after 63 years of political wrangling. The base is expected to be announced as a temporary solution while the Government intensifies its search for a permanent location. Richmond is capable of handling most long-haul aircraft and would suit low-cost airlines such as Jetstar and the Singapore Airlines-backed Tiger Airways. Hawkesbury Council has objected.

Rixhmond. Call for second airport at RAAF base

The Board of Airline Representatives of Australia (BARA) has made a submission to the Federal Government for Sydney’s second airport to be located at the Richmond RAAF base. It sees Richmond as the best bet because of its proximity to the market and much lower cost of providing ground transport infrastructure due to the existence of nearby motorway and rail links. “We believe it is the facility within the Sydney basin that is the most likely one to be capable of being further developed with political approval,” Warren Bennett, BARA, executive director, told The Australian.

Richmond RAAF base under review

The fate of the Richmond RAAF base is once again on the agenda at the Defence Department, which is reviewing its $12 billion national defence estate including the consideration of the future of military bases. Richmond employs 2600 people and contributes $130 million annually into the local economy.