By Matthew Sims
Maribyrnong council has refused to support the proposal of a third runway at Melbourne airport, unless a number of recommendations were addressed.
At its City Development Delegated Committee meeting on Tuesday, May 24, the council passed a motion to endorse its submission to the Melbourne Airport Preliminary Draft Masterplan 2022-2052 and Third Runway Proposal.
Maribyrnong council’s recommendations included:
* Re-examining the options explored for alternatives to a new north-south runway with a focus on reducing noise impacts on long-standing residential communities;
* Providing compensation to existing residents to add adequate noise mitigation to protect occupants’ sleep and health prior to the use of the third runway;
* Instating a night time curfew on the use of the added north-south runway;
* Further investigating the risks of ultra-fine particle pollution; and
* Examining alternatives to air travel, including a high speed rail link along Australia’s eastern and southern coasts.
If approved, the new 3000-metre runway would run parallel to the existing north-south runway and will increase the airport’s capacity by allowing for simultaneous arrivals and departures.
Councillor Michael Clarke said while the third runway would respond to the growing transport needs of Melbourne, a number of other factors needed to be considered.
“I think we also need to be very clear that there are noise impacts and that is a fact,“ he said.
“Our submission also calls for the air pollution to be addressed as part of any future expansion.“
Councillor Bernadette Thomas said the proposals needed more work to ensure pollution and noise level concerns were addressed.
“With Maribyrnong’s air quality already poor as a result of historical and current freight transport moving through the city, any additional ultra-fine particle pollution is an unwelcome addition,“ she said.
Cr Thomas said with no plans for a curfew at this stage, Melbourne Airport should revisit consultation alongside the Albanese government and look at other transport alternatives.
