"By approving the expansion of Canberra Airport as a 24 hour freight hub Minister Albanese has effectively agreed to hammer Queanbeyan residents with aircraft noise, without the protection of a night time curfew," NSW Greens transport spokesperson Ms Rhiannon said.
"There is no excuse for refusing to provide the same protection available to residents living in Sydney, Coolangatta, Essendon and Adelaide where curfews now operate.
"Local Federal MP for Eden Monaro Mike Kelly has recently championed the expansion, downplaying the potential impacts on his constituents.
"It is disappointing Mr Kelly cannot grasp the public health implications for those living under the flight path of having up to 20 aircraft movements an hour between midnight and 5am.
"Successive federal and state governments have for years ignored the pressing need for better freight rail infrastructure, which is the environmentally friendly solution to our growing freight task.
"Expanding Canberra airport's freight operations will see more freight trucks ploughing up and down the highway to Sydney. This will inevitably see more accidents and deaths as well as an increase in greenhouse gas emissions at a time when they should be cut back.
"Canberra airport, like Sydney airport, has been given the go ahead to expand not only its operations but also its physical footprint, creating flow on affects for neighbouring suburbs and road
infrastructure.
"Building a Very Fast Train between Canberra and Sydney would be a smart solution that has not been given serious consideration.
"It is time Minister Albanese managed the expansion of Canberra airport not in terms of increasing the profits of the owner Terry Snow, but with an eye to protecting local residents and the
environment," Ms Rhiannon said.
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