Members of the Forum on Western Sydney Airport selected

Twenty-two individuals have been chosen as community representatives to hold regular forums on the new Western Sydney Airport.

The Forum on Western Sydney Airport (FOWSA) will be a critical community consultation mechanism in the lead up to the new Western Sydney Airport commencing operations in 2026.

Members were selected following a call for nominations in late 2016. They bring a broad range of skills, expertise and local knowledge and are drawn from diverse locations including Camden, Liverpool, Penrith, Fairfield, and the Blue Mountains.

FOWSA’s members include 10 community representatives, five representatives nominated by local councils, and members representing other stakeholder groups. The Forum will be chaired by Professor Peter Shergold AC, Chancellor of Western Sydney University.

“As we develop a project of the scale of Western Sydney Airport, it is critical that the voice of the community is heard loud and clear,” said Minister for Urban Infrastructure Paul Fletcher.

“FOWSA will meet regularly—at least three times a year—and its members will be briefed on the many complex issues involved in planning a new airport.

“With his extensive experience in leading and chairing public, private and not-for-profit organisations and bodies, and his strong familiarity with Western Sydney issues as Chancellor of Western Sydney University, Professor Peter Shergold AC is ideally suited to leading this important body.

Professor Shergold said he was very pleased to take on the role of chair of FOWSA.

“Western Sydney Airport will be a very important facility for Western Sydney, and the community must have a say in its planning and development,” Professor Shergold said.

FOWSA will be a key consultation mechanism on issues such as flight path planning. The Airport Plan, which is the formal document granting approval to construct an airport, requires that community views are taken into account when designing final flight paths for Western Sydney Airport.

FOWSA will also have a strong focus on how to maximise the economic, employment and educational opportunities from Western Sydney Airport. The airport will create thousands of jobs and bring a significant economic boost to Western Sydney.

The airport is expected to generate nearly 9000 direct jobs by the early 2030s—in addition to thousands of jobs during the construction phase of this multibillion dollar project.

As well as the on-airport jobs, there will be many jobs generated by the businesses which will be attracted to locate near the airport—in sectors such as logistics, education, professional services, high-tech manufacturing, conferences and exhibitions, tourism and accommodation.

The members of FOWSA are:

• Professor Peter Shergold AC (Chair)—Chair and Chancellor, Western Sydney University;
• Senator the Hon Marise Payne—Senator for New South Wales;
• Dr Mike Freelander MP—Federal Member for Macarthur;
• Ms Anne Stanley MP—Federal Member for Werriwa;
• Mr Christopher Patterson MP—New South Wales State Member for Camden;
• Mr Mario Bayndrian—General Manager, Aviation, Sydney Metro Airports Bankstown and Camden;
• Mr David Borger—Western Sydney Director, Sydney Business Chamber;
• Ms Joanne Bromilow—Resident of Blaxland;
• Mr Damian Callachor—Senior Manager, Government, Industry and International Affairs, Qantas;
• Ms Adriana Care—Resident of Camden-Narellan;
• Ms Kiersten Fishburn—CEO, Liverpool City Council;
• Mr Bob Germaine—Executive Officer, Regional Development Australia—Sydney;
• Mr Gordon Henwood—Resident of Mulgoa;
• Mr Mike Higgins—CEO, Regional Aviation Association of Australia;
• Mr Jacob Idiculas—Resident of Bossley Park;
• Ms Fiona Mann—Strategic Activities Planner, Hawkesbury City Council;
• Ms Alison Morgan—Director, Sydney Region, Regional Coordination Branch, New South Wales Department of Premier and Cabinet;
• Mr Luke Nicholls—Director, City and Community Outcomes, Blue Mountains City Council;
• Mr Adrian Slootjes—Manager, Air Traffic Management and Meteorology, Virgin Australia;
• Cr John Thain—Mayor, Penrith City Council;
• Mr Paul Tosi—former General Manager, Campbelltown City Council;
• Mr John Walton—Resident of Silverdale; and
• Mr Wayne Willmington—Resident of Luddenham.

FOWSA’s first meeting will be held in May 2017.