THEY were forced to sell 25 years ago and now they should get their land back. That is what former resident Jana Kokkinos says of the situation facing former Luddenham land owners who had their blocks bought by the Federal Government in 1986 to make way for the proposed Badgerys Creek airport.

Ms Kokkinos said now the airport is no longer going ahead, the former residents should have their land sold back to them and at a reduced price. ``My parents had a piggery here at the time and they were pretty much forced out by the Government,'' she said. ``They were offered a price much lower than what the land was worth and then told if they didn't take that price their land could just be taken off them.

``They were afraid to say no, so they agreed to it and lost a lot of money in the process.

``Their land was taken from them, they lost their livelihood and they didn't even get a fair price. The same happened to a lot of our neighbours, too.

``And now the airport hasn't even gone ahead at all.'' Ms Kokkinos is looking for other former residents who want to get their land back.

``I think this is the time to approach the Federal Government and ask for our properties to be sold back to us at a minimal price,'' she said.

Fowler MP Julia Irwin said residents had not approached her about the problem but if they did she would be happy to support them in any way she could.

``If this is an issue for my constituents, I think as a community we'd have to sit down and address it,'' she said. ``If I were approached by someone about that I'd speak to the Government and get to the bottom of it.''

Liverpool Mayor Wendy Waller said the sale of the homes was made under confidential commercial agreements and she could not comment on whether the prices were fair.

``From what I know the properties were bought at market rates,'' she said. ``I'm surprised residents would wait until now to make a claim and I think they should consider the legal repercussions that could come of this, that could lead to a lot of legal costs down the track. I'd suggest they get some sound legal advice.''

Anyone who would like to contact Jana Kokkinos can email her: landbuyback@gmail.com.