N:\Airport5.2\Airport Documents\Productivity Commission Submission.doc

ATTENTION: Jill Irvine

Productivity Commission
PO Box 80
BELCONNEN ACT 2616

Dear Jill,

Inquiry into Price Regulation of Airport Services
 
Council view is that the continued access by regional airlines to Sydney Airport is essential to ensure the efficient and economical transport links between Regional NSW 
country centres and Sydney. Rural residents require access to the Sydney Central Business District for a range of services including medical, business, education, recreation, trade and welfare.

Any proposal to re-direct rural and regional air services to Bankstown Airport would add between one (1) hour and two (2) hours to the total journey of all country residents travelling to the Central Business District.

Conversely people from Sydney if they have to go to Bankstown would not be able to get a full day’s work complete in the round trip to Dubbo or in any other regional centre. The time factor and the cost factor of getting to and from Bankstown would make it totally unviable. There is also the matter of transferring from Bankstown to Sydney Airport to catch interstate or international flights.

Dubbo city Council supported the ‘slot’ system when first introduced and to see this diminished would have a detrimental effect on travel between Dubbo and Sydney for rural and regional passengers. Dubbo is a major hub for western NSW, and any changes would be far reaching in the west of NSW.

I thank you for your time and if you have any questions regarding this submission, please contact me on (02) 6801 4000.

Yours faithfully

Lindsay Mason
Director Corporate Development