LABOR BLOWS HOT AIR ON AIRCRAFT NOISE

Bob Baldwin, Member for Paterson said the ALP candidate for Paterson was all talk and intended to take absolutely no action to mitigate the impact of aircraft noise on the family home.

“The ALP candidate for Paterson has been making wishy-washy promises for more talk on aircraft noise if elected,” said Mr Baldwin.

“He has also stated that Labor will lift the ANEF 2025 maps if elected.

“This would be laughable if the situation wasn’t so serious, considering Labor is the Government of the day and has it within its power to have lifted the maps by now if it was at all serious about helping local residents.

“Labor has nowhere to hide on this issue: it was in Government when these maps were issued, in Government when residents voiced their concerns, and is in Government still.

“Mike Kelly has already claimed that any changes to the RAAF Base could jeopardise its viability – clearly giving himself a way out to do nothing if re-elected,” said Mr Baldwin.

Mr Baldwin noted that the ALP candidate held a meeting on aircraft noise last night, just days before a community meeting was due to occur.

“The ALP’s aircraft noise meeting is a publicity stunt as there is already a community meeting on this issue set to go ahead on Thursday,” said Mr Baldwin.

“As the Federal Member for Paterson I was not invited – this goes against Mr Arneman’s very public pledge for bipartisan cooperation at all levels of Government on this issue.

“The tragedy here is that Mr Arneman is using the people of Port Stephens as political pawns, in his attempt to win the seat of Paterson.

“Mr Arneman should be ashamed for using people to further his own political aims, when their livelihoods are at stake.

“I have been working on this issue for months and I have made a commitment as the Shadow Minister to a real action plan to actually help local residents.

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 ANEF from Brandy Hill, Raymond Terrace and Medowie without shifting the noise problem onto other residences;

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, including the “grandfathering” rule.

“The difference between myself and my ALP opponent is that while he has committed to more talk, I have committed to action as evidenced by my four point direct action plan,” said Mr Baldwin.