While we can understand that an airport requires some updating and investment, this proposal involves rezoning a massive 218 hectares of land, much of which is defined as E3 environmental management, a zone of “groundwater vulnerability” (Orange LEP 2011). 

This area had not had any substantial studies, such as an environmental impact statement (EIS), done on the surface or groundwater even though the groundwater is used as drinking water and the surface water runs into the Orange catchment. It doesn’t make sense to put an industrial area on this pristine catchment area and upset the entire ecology of this area. 

This rezoning is not part of the original airport extension and should only be considered as a separate development application. This proposal of an industrial park would violate the terms of approval for the airport expansion under the present notice of determination (DA 198/2013(1),  September 17, 2013.

The terms of that approval are:

(1) To maintain neighbourhood amenity and character;

(2) To ensure compliance with relevant statutory requirements;

(3) To provide adequate public health and safety measures;

(4) To ensure the utility services are available to the site and adequate for the development; 

(5) To prevent the proposed development having a detrimental effect on adjoining land uses;

(6) To minimise the impact of development on the environment.

The proposal would not only have a severe and detrimental effect on the water and environment, it would also impact on everyone who lives close to it, with many people losing out as the rural residential amenity of the area deteriorates and their property values fall.

If council goes ahead with the proposal, we can expect a ‘Bankstown’-type airport with industry operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including the accompanying lights and noise.

Instead of a visitor to Orange being surprised with the beauty of the rural vista, they would be confronted with an industrial area as they get off the plane. 

The council would have the public believe they are doing this in the best interest of everyone. At the recent public meeting in Spring Hill, 90 per cent of all the attendees didn’t want to see this proposal proceed. 

The council’s representatives didn’t answer many of the questions and most people felt they were treated with contempt. 

So with the proposal now being held in abeyance by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment until council can provide the department with further information, I would encourage those who disagree with the proposal to send the Department of Planning and Environment a letter (web address: www.planning.nsw.gov.au) and voice your concerns. 

As far as our council is concerned, mayor John Davis said there would be “no dirty industry at the airport” (Central Western Daily, Saturday February 21, 2015) and yet the application promotes general industrial uses.

So what will they allow at the airport in the future?

What will the many reports now required by the Department of Planning and Environment cost the council in moving forward with this proposal?

Ask this of your Orange City councillors. 

With the issue of water security being one of the more important issues of our time, why does the council want to risk our pristine water catchment area with an industrial park? 

Let’s look after what we have and protect our future.

Robert Sanders, Paul Knight,

Spring Terrace Water Group, Inc.

Spring Hill and Surrounding Districts Consultative Committee Inc.