AIR TERMINAL

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 117, 19 May 1937, Page 9

AIR TERMINAL

THE EMPIRE BOATS

ROSE BAY PROTESTING

SYDNEY MAY LOSE SERVICE

(From "The' Post's" Representative)

SYDNEY, May 7,

With the Empire flying-boat service scheduled to start early in 1938, squabbling continues about the site of the Sydney terminal base, and unless it is quickly settled there may be delay not only to the service from London but also to that across the Tasman.

A properly-equipped terminal station, in a selected site guarded from prevailing tempestuous winds and convenient to an adequate alighting sur-. face water, is even more important,to; a flying-boat than an aerodrome is to' an aeroplane. : Montns ago, when the flying-boat proposals were first made, a site was selected at Rose, Bay, ..adjacent to a small:.naval,reserve,' and approved by representatives of the English operating company. Hose Bay is one ot the widest and largest sheltered arms ■ of.-. Sydney • Harbour. The land surrounding it provides .one of the city's "dress-circle" residential areas. Magnificent homes and trim villas look out upon the bay. The thought}occurred, .when the flying-boat proposals /were made, that there: would be objections to the site, as a menace to the: 'amenities of 'the: area. V^one; came )tintil avfew week's ago. : . Since) then 'there ha|; been incessant "bickering. ■■;\:i'*:\vk?''y-:.; : .T:"'':;vv ".'.'.^i^ .-■

The residents' opposition is based on a number of grounds. It is alleged that, to construe}: .buildings necessary lor the base, park"'lands would have to be "filched," althoughproposal is for the reclamation of part of the bay and: the;.'construction of hangars pn. : piles.pver the water. Residents have, also objected that the:.rioise of the flyirig-jioats^will create' considerable disturbance,.in.a residential area/ This and othec" factors, it is feared, might deflate ..property values, as^we'll' as create a nuisance. -. ' ■ ,- : : .

The State Government/, is. backing residents' opposition,; 'though. '■'• it supremely wants thev.fly.iflg-bpat'v.ter^ minal to be at Sydney. The Federal Government is adamant —Rose Bay or nothing. It has rejectedAother..pro-, posed sites in Sydney Harbour and also in the next coastal inlet, Botany Bay, and in Broken Bay, north of Sydney. Experts say that Rose Bay is the only possible alighting place in all weathers. Opposition to making -Rose Bay. the base may lead to Brisbane becoming the terminus. If the pronounced-oppo-sition of residents continues, it, is stated in semi-official circles, the Federal authorities may threaten to avoid bringing the boats to Sydney at all. It is suggested that Brisbane "would be as convenient as Sydney if the services were continued to New Zealand.

The official committee - appointed to recommend suitable bases has not yet completed its report, but it has already announced that it considers-"Rose Bay to be the only possible site.