Bob Baldwin MP said Prime Minister Julia Gillard had shamelessly wasted taxpayers’ money after flying to Raymond Terrace for a beer, instead of addressing the concerns of hundreds of people at the SAFE EARS community aircraft noise meeting.

“The closest Ms Gillard has been to the aircraft noise issue is the private jet she flew here in,” said Mr Baldwin.

“People in Port Stephens are concerned about their homes, their health and their livelihoods, yet instead of addressing them, Ms Gillard chose to fly over their heads then head to the pub.

“Ms Gillard could have used this as an opportunity to announce a real plan to ease the concerns of the people of Port Stephens, yet instead she chose to ignore them.

“Worse still, Ms Gillard has wasted thousands of taxpayer dollars to fly here for a drink: that money could have been put towards improving roads; finding a new doctor for Clarence Town; improving digital television reception; or another equally worthy cause,” said Mr Baldwin.

The ALP candidate for Paterson was notably late to the community meeting on aircraft noise, choosing not to pay any respect to those affected in our community.

“Mr Arneman was more interested in a photo opportunity than working with his community to find a solution to a problem that affects thousands of Paterson residents,” said Mr Baldwin.

Mr Baldwin said the Coalition was committed to mitigating aircraft noise across Port Stephens through a four point plan:

1.         Installing a second Instrument Landing System (ILS) which will result in more aircraft approaching from the sea rather than across Brandy Hill and Raymond Terrace;

2.         Extending the runway towards the sand hills which will move the noise footprint and remove/reduce the effect of the ANEC from Brandy Hill, Raymond Terrace and Medowie without shifting the problem onto others;

3.         Repealing and replacing 2025 ANEF so that the above measures can be incorporated into new noise contour maps; and

4.         Establish an Independent Audit Committee to fully examine all proposals that can further mitigate the noise effect on our community.

Mr Baldwin also said he would continue working with Port Stephens Council on the ‘grandfathering’ policy as used by Ipswich Council and has again urged a major rethink of the Kings Hill development.