The World heritage status of the Blue Mountains has been threatened due to Western Sydney Airport’s proposed flight paths.
Blue Mountains Deputy Mayor Romola Hollywood said council is concerned about what the new airport means for the heritage status of the Mountains and the inequality between the eastern and western airports.
“The World Heritage Listing was granted nearly 25 years ago because Badgerys Creek Airport at that time was stopped,” Romola Hollywood said.
“So, the thing is if it was a concern when we were seeking listing then it’s very easy to argue that Western Sydney Airport could threaten our World Heritage listing because of the impact of overflights on the Blue Mountains.”
The Western Sydney Airport is set open at the end of 2026 and will operate as a 24-hour service with flights going directly over the mountains.
On August 9 there was a NSW Parliamentary inquiry at Penrith. Both Council members and residents expressed their concerns about the proposed flight paths and the impacts this will have on the mountain’s community, regarding heritage status, noise pollution and daily life.
Blue Mountains resident John Maddocks said he is mostly concerned about the noise pollution and the fact that, unlike the eastern suburbs, the Western Airport will have no curfew.
“During the day, overflights will affect schools, hospitals and day-care centres with noise and intrusion,” Mr Maddocks said.
“The Blue Mountains geographically, is a very different place to say an airport near a city like Kingsford Smith Airport,” he said.
“The Blue Mountains has many escarpment rock faces and canyons which in fact reflect and even enhance sound.”
The Western Sydney Airport continues to pose a threat to the Blue Mountains and its residents’ livelihoods. Blue Mountains City Council continues to express its concerns and intends to attend future meetings regarding the airport’s development and flight paths.
