Australian Federal government has approved the third runway at Melbourne Airport, paving the way for early works to begin next year if certain "noise amelioration" conditions are met.
Transport Minister Catherine King granted the approvals on Thursday night, paving the way for the 3000-metre-long runway to enter operations in 2031.
However, in order for the runway project to proceed further, she said conditions would be imposed on Melbourne Airport to minimise environmental and noise impacts, also ensuring no community "bears the brunt".
Minister Catherine King has imposed certain conditions on Melbourne Airport in order for the third runway to proceed. These represent the most comprehensive set of conditions for a project of this type, including:
They include the airport providing a "legally-enforceable commitment" to restore the length of the east-west runway after construction of the third runway, so that noise is "shared" across the landing strips.
A "noise amelioration program" for impacted communities would also be implemented, and the airport would be required to conduct a community health study into noise impacts.
The study would involve recording data before and after the construction of the third runway, through to its first 20 years of operation.
Melbourne airport has welcomed the decision and has agreed to take steps to minimise noise, but residents living nearby have expressed concern about the plan.
The airport hopes to have the additional runway completed by 2031 to cope with rising passenger numbers, which are forecast to double to 83 million annually by 2046.
Airport currently has two runways, one running north-south and another east-west, and has plans for four in its long-term strategy.
Melbourne Airport had been waiting for the federal government to sign off on its third runway project, with the transport minister accused of avoiding a decision for 18 months.
The $3 billion third runway at Melbourne Airport would run parallel to the existing north-south runway and increase capacity by allowing for simultaneous take-offs and landings.
The proposal for the third runway, which will run north-south, has attracted some opposition from residents in surrounding areas. Suburbs such as Bulla, Keilor and Kealba will be affected by the new flight paths, but noise is also forecast further south, including over Sunshine, Braybrook, West Footscray and Williamstown.
Residents in suburbs to the north and south of the airport, including Keilor and Bulla, are expected to be the most impacted when it opens in 2031.
Among the conditions for the Runway is that the airport commits to restoring its east-west runway to its full length and optimize its use, which will further help distribute the noise across Melbourne.
The airport will be required to develop a noise-sharing and airspace plan and conduct a community health study into the impact of the third runway, collecting data before it is operational and for its first 20 years.
Chief executive Lorie Argus of Melbourne Airport said the federal government approvals meant the airport would now consult the community over how best to share aircraft noise.
Over the next six months, the airport would work with Airservices Australia, the government bureau that runs airspace, to redesign flight paths, including for nearby Essendon Airport, she said.
“We will be coming out to the local communities in the next year to talk about those changes, talk about the impacts, and most importantly, talk about how we can make sure we share the noise burden across both north and south and east,” Ms Argus said.
Minister Catherine King added further :
"Melbourne's third runway will bring it in line with Sydney and other globally-competitive airports,"
"But these conditions, along with relevant environmental requirements, mean that we are balancing the growth of the airport, with the needs of the communities on the ground."
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