And now the opponents of lower flight paths over our region have a powerful new ally — the United Nations.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported at the weekend that no less an authority than the United Nations UNESCO world heritage committee has issued a ‘please explain’ demand on the Abbott government over the Badgerys Creek Plan and the potential threat to ‘the natural integrity of the Blue Mountains’.

International and domestic flights already pass over the region but are usually at or close to maximum cruising height when they cross Lithgow.

Military aircraft are at a much lower altitude directly over the valley on the flight path to Richmond RAAF base.

Said the Herald’s Kirsty Needham: UNESCO repeatedly rejected Australia’s nomination of the Blue Mountains or World Heritage status between 1999 and 2000, citing Howard Government plans for Badgerys Creek.

The world scrutiny comes as the Abbott government has been accused of a ‘sneaky’ attempt to avoid World Heritage impacts being considered as part of the environmental approval for the 24 hour airport.

But the Environment Department ruled on December 23 that World Heritage impacts must be examined following protest submissions by environment groups and by former Howard minister and one time RAAF officer Jackie Kelly.

The Blue Mountains finally gained acceptance for World Heritage listing after the Howard government shelved plans for Badgerys Creek.

Now a UNESCO spokesman in Paris has told the Herald that the World Heritage Committee has not been notified of the change in policy and will be ‘following up’ with Australian authorities.

The Badgery Creek site is just eight kilometres from the World Heritage area.

A spokesman for Infrastructure Minister Warren Truss defended the government position and said that improvements in aircraft technology and regulatory standards meant the noise and air pollution risk was now much lower than when assessed in 1999.

It was Colong Foundation director Keith Muir who accused the government of ‘sneaky’ tactics on the issue.

But Mr Muir, a regular campaigner on issues affecting Greater Lithgow, is best remembered locally for what could best be described as a heated ‘shirtfronting’ confrontation at Hassans Walls with then council general manager Paul Anderson after incorrectly claiming that council was supportive of a plan to create a new conservation area extending from Mt York, across the Hartley Valley to the Newnes Plateau.

The other vocal opponent, Jackie Kelly, has left the Liberal party to campaign as an independent in the seat of Penrith in the March state election.

She has previously declared her opposition to the Badgerys Creek international airport.