Passengers have been promised cheaper airfares and on-time flights as a result of another runway at Melbourne Airport, but devastated residents under flight paths fear for their quality of life and are demanding a curfew.
Federal Transport Minister Catherine King on Thursday approved the airport’s major development plan to build its third runway, a locally contentious approval for the Labor-voting west of Melbourne, which has been awaiting a decision since February 2023.
Melbourne Airport’s third runway has been given the green light.Credit: Louis Trerise
Melbourne Airport CEO Lorie Argus on Friday said the new 3000-metre-long runway – which will run parallel to the existing north-south runway – would open up capacity for more flights with different carriers and put downward pressure on flight fares.
The airport says the third runway will create 51,000 jobs and generate $6 billion a year to the state economy. It is expected to open in seven years.
“You will see more schedules, less cancellations, less disruption, with that additional capacity... you’ll see new entrants,” said Argus.
But residents who have long campaigned against the third runway on health grounds expressed shock and anger at the announcement.
Keilor mother of two Catherine Haddo wants to see a nighttime curfew instated at Melbourne Airport.Credit: Jason South
Keilor mother-of-two Catherine Haddo lives under the current north-south flight path and will be directly under the third runway flight path too.
She has double-glazing on her home but is concerned it will no longer be enough. She worries about the impact on her children’s development – their nearby primary school is also directly under the flight path.
“My kids, their sleeping patterns [are my main concern], if it does get louder. I’m hoping a curfew would be put in place just like Sydney [airport]. That would be great,” she said.
But the Victorian government and the airport hosed down any suggestion of a Sydney-style 11pm to 6am curfew.
Treasurer Tim Pallas told reporters on Friday: “Were we to avoid or lose that curfew-free status, then we would lose a critical advantage that we have over Sydney Airport.”
One of the federal government’s conditions on approving the third runway is that the airport commits to restoring its east-west runway to its full length and maximise its use, which it claims will help distribute 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.
Shannon Meilak, a leader in the No Third Tulla Runway campaign, which represents about 10,000 people, said her family was already woken at night by low-flying planes that “rumble her windows”. She fears the issues will get worse.
Shannon Meilak, Keilor Lodge resident and one of the lead campaigners of the ‘No Third Tulla Runway campaign’.Credit: Jason South
“A lot of people say, ‘well, you knew [the airport would expand] when you moved there’. Well, the truth is, no, we didn’t. The plans have changed so much they are no longer recognisable from what originally was going to be built there.”
Melbourne Airport had long planned to build a third runway running east to west, but in 2019, it switched to the current north-south plan, claiming that it would minimise wind interference.
Two years ago, Brimbank council commissioned an independent assessment of health risks linked to the airport’s proposed expansion plans, which found residents would experience increases in sleep disturbances, cardiovascular disease, anxiety and depression.
It also warned noise would exceed World Health Organisation noise guidelines and that children under these flight paths could experience cognitive delays of up to six months.
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.
Keilor resident Maria Mizzi, 62, said health and lifestyle impacts aside, residents were concerned about the impact on property prices.
“Some of us are relying on the value of the property for our retirement plans as well,” she said.
Local retired paediatric GP Michael Howson was sceptical of the efficacy of any noise minimisation.
Shannon Meilak, Keilor Lodge resident and one of the lead campaigners of the No Third Tulla Runway campaign.Credit: Jason South
“Melbourne Airport being in charge of assessing noise harm is like putting a fox in charge of a hen house,” he said.
Brimbank mayor Ranka Rasic said that while the council’s advocacy had led to some of the conditions the minister put on the runway, the council still had serious concerns.
“We are concerned the minister is leaving these protections to Melbourne Airport, which has not prioritised protecting communities from adverse aircraft noise impacts in the past and has a poor track record of responding to concerns from local communities.”
Argus said Melbourne Airport would work to ensure residents were protected as much as possible, but that it had to balance “the economic growth that the community needs”.
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