Bob Baldwin, Member for Paterson said
the Gillard Labor Government had shown utter contempt for homeowners and
families in Port Stephens, after promising to release a revised Australian
Noise Exposure Concept 2025 (ANEC2025) by 15 October but failing to deliver.
“It is nothing but contempt for
the people of Port Stephens to have a new draft sitting on someone’s desk while
the public is kept in the dark,” said Mr Baldwin.
“This is not a game – people’s
homes and livelihoods are affected by the ANEC2025 and they deserve to be the
Gillard Labor Government’s absolute priority.”
Mr Baldwin indicated that from
what he had seen at the Williamtown Consultative Forum, the new ANEC2025 eases
the noise footprint around the areas of East Medowie, Brandy Hill, Riverview
Ridge, Grahamstown and Lakeside.
“Residents and I have fought
extremely hard on this issue and I thank all those involved for their hard
work,” said Mr Baldwin.
“However, there is still much more
work to do before a final map is created.
“With that in mind, I call on the
Gillard Labor Government to keep its promise and immediately lift the current
mapping so that my constituents are not burdened with the financial impacts of
a soon to be out-of-date map,” said Mr Baldwin.
Mr Baldwin noted that Prime
Minister Gillard had continued to ignore the importance of swift action on this
issue, despite his hand-delivered letter to her three weeks ago.
“First she went to the pub instead
of talking to people about aircraft noise, now Ms Gillard seems to be hiding
from my constituents, however I have a message for the Prime Minister - we will
not be ignored.
“Port Stephens Council and the New
South Wales Government must also play an integral role in all future
discussions as our community works with Defence to alleviate the noise
contours.
“Importantly, Council and the
Keneally Labor Government must not approve land developments which will
unfairly burden future residents and limit opportunities for current ones.”
