By Kieran Marsh and Camille Bianchi
A controversial plan to redevelop Archerfield airport will be submitted to the Federal Government by the end of the month.
Archerfield Airport, which currently services only light aircraft, would see as many as 12 departures and arrivals a day, under a plan put forward by the Archerfield Corporation.
While the plan doesn’t include large planes like Boeing 747s or Airbusses, the Archerfield Corporation says an expansion could cater for modern aircrafts such as E170s or Dash 8s.
Ipswich City councillor Paul Tully says the expansion would create unacceptable noise pollution for residents.
“Archerfield would never reach the potential of being a second major airport and there is a concern of noise for adjoining suburbs,” Cr Tully said.
He also says local residents are unaware an expansion has been proposed – or how it will affect their suburbs.
“They have no idea they could be in the middle of flight paths if this draft expansion plan is approved,” Cr Tully said.
Acacia Ridge Technology Information Centre, a community library at Acacia Ridge, is leading the petition against the proposed expansion.
They say Archerfield is too populated to accommodate a project of this size.
“I can’t even comprehend where they’re going to put it,” ARTIC president Robyn Wuster said.
She also dismissed the argument those who live close to an airport should expect expansion.
“That’s like saying, I bought beside a kindergarten, now you’re going to put a university there,” Ms Wuster said.
The Brisbane Airport Corporation does not agree a second airport is inevitable, as the Eagle Farm complex is capable of handling the current passenger growth.
“We’re quite confident the Brisbane catchment and greater Queensland is well served by its city airport,” head of corporate relations Jim Carden said
Councillor Tully says any plans for a second airport in the future should reflect predicted growth in the western corridor.
The Archerfield airport corporation was unavailable for comment today.
The expansion proposal will be submitted to Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese at the end of this month.