PEOPLE POWER HALVES JSF NOISE IMPACT

Bob Baldwin, Member for Paterson and Shadow Minister for Defence Science and Personnel has welcomed today’s announcement that Defence will halve the planned use of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) at the Salt Ash Air Weapons Range.

Mr Baldwin said that this will force changes to the ANEF 2025 Noise Maps and suburbs such as Oyster Cove will now be excluded.

“An increasingly large number of local residents have contacted me about the proposed JSF noise contours, which reflects the growing number of residents that will be affected by aircraft noise once the JSF is introduced into service at RAAF Williamtown.

“I am therefore absolutely thrilled that Defence has listened to local residents. This is a brilliant example of people power,” said Mr Baldwin.

Mr Baldwin said that he will continue to work hard to represent those residents of Oyster Cove, Medowie, Salt Ash and Swan Bay who are facing possible decreases in their property values.

“As soon as this issue was raised with me, I began meeting with affected residents. I met with residents from Oyster Cove during their very first collective meeting on this issue and attended the Williamtown Consultative Forum where I forced an action item that would see Defence review the mapping and/or compensate affected residents.