The Federal Government's Forum on Western Sydney Airport (FOWSA) is scheduled to hold its first meeting today in Penrith, NSW.
FOWSA was created to give stakeholders input to the airspace and flightpath design for the new Western Sydney Airport to be built at Badgerys Creek.
"The first meeting of FOWSA is an important next step towards the Turnbull Government's commitment of Western Sydney Airport being operational by 2026," said Minister for Urban Infrastructure Paul Fletcher. "FOWSA is an important initative of the Government to ensure community voices are heard as construction commences on the airport.
"FOWSA will cover a range of issues important to Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains and will engage with the community to ensure their views are taken into account. In particular, FOWSA will not only have an important role in the flight path design process but will also look to maximise the broader economic, employment and educational opportunities presented by the airport."
FOWSA is made up of 23 members, chaired by Western Sydney University Chancellor Peter Shergold AC. Of those 23, 10 are residents of affected towns, five are municipal representatives, four are politicians and the remainder come from stakeholder groups.
General aviation is represented by Sydney Metro Airports (Bankstown and Camden) and the Regional Aviation Association of Australia.
A full list of FOWSA members is available on the Western Sydney Airport website.