The latest report warns that Sydney airport will reach maximum capacity much sooner than has been anticipated. It will face serious " constraints " from 2025 and from that point we can expect this lack of airport capacity to start having an economic effect on the all important tourist industry.
The need for a second Sydney airport has raged for twenty-seven years. Governments of both political persuasions - both state and Federally - have created plans and prepared cost estimates, only to retreat and shelve the matter because of fear of a public backlash.
Nobody wants a new airport anywhere near where they choose to live. They are noisy and they create traffic hubs due to the huge number of people who use the facilities. The main decision seems to be whether a second airport is built within the Sydney basin - or as far afield as Canberra or Newcastle.
There is no doubt that Sydney is the first choice destination when it comes to tourist travel. It is almost a case of criminal neglect that Sydney still has just a single international airport when Melbourne has two - with Avalon in the process of upgrading to make if a trifecta. Melbourne must be hoping to make a gain at Sydney's expense because even if an airport site decision was made today - it would be more than a decade before it would be ready for the first plane.
It is a fact of life that no Sydney airport decision will be made in this year. 2013 is an election year - and neither side of politics will wish to go to the public with that Albatross hanging around their neck. It is also a fact of life that the Greens have a disproportionate power over this decision - in relation to their numbers.
Unless the politicians grasp the nettle and make a firm decision as soon as this coming election is settled it seems inevitable that Sydney residents are going to be stuck with a half gap measure. The moment lack of capacity starts to strangle the economics that rely on air movement we will see the night curfew lifted and the number of aircraft movements per hour sharply increased - and to make that work runway extensions into botany bay will be increased.
After twenty-seven years of posturing and retreat, making a final decision could be as easy as tossing a coin. If the second airport is going to be built in the Sydney basin is must either be at Badgery's Creek or Wilton.
Heads or tails could resolve that dilemma - and at least it would start the building process rolling.
The warning is being sounded. Either make a decision and get work started - or suffer the unpleasant side effects of stretching an existing airport past it's capacity - with both noise and safety a concern for all who live in this city !
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