Construction and development on the airport

A rigorous development assessment process has been established to enable Sydney Airport to address its obligations under the Airports (Building Control) Regulations 1996.

Section 2.3 of our Airport Environment Strategy describes the assessment process undertaken for new developments on the airport.

All development proposals at Sydney Airport are subject to a thorough planning and environmental impact assessment process undertaken by Sydney Airport’s planning and environment departments. If a proposed development has the potential to impact on the environment, an environmental assessment must be undertaken.

This process enables us to address our obligations under the Airports (Building Control) Regulations 1996. We consider the Airport Environment Strategy, Master Plan 2039, the Airports Act and the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act prior to granting any development approval.

Sydney Airport, the AEO, the Airport Building Controller (ABC) and, in some circumstances, the relevant Federal Government Minister can either reject a development proposal or make approval conditional to environmental impacts being eliminated or minimised.

See Sustainable design and development for more information.