Nearby suburbs to north-south runway fear noise, traffic, air pollution
Homeowners in Keilor East, Avondale Heights, Airport West, Bulla and Keilor have banded together to condemn the new north-south runway proposal at Melbourne Airport. And this is how bad they say things will get if it goes ahead.
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Neighbours of Melbourne Airport fear their homes will become uninhabitable if the proposed north-south runway goes ahead.
Distressed homeowners in Keilor East, Avondale Heights, Airport West, Bulla and Keilor are concerned that the new runway would cause excess noise, air pollution and increased traffic congestion in their suburbs.
The third runway at Melbourne Airport was originally planned to run east-west, but will now run north-south.
It will double the number of planes coming in and out of the airport and is planned to be built by 2025.
Avondale Heights & East Keilor Residents Association president Frank Di Blasi said increased traffic on Military Rd in Avondale Heights would make getting around almost impossible.
“It’s the only major arterial, (the runway) will double up traffic, dust, pollution and everything else,” he said.
Mr Di Blasi said some people had even told him they’d go as far as to move homes.
“Establishing a north-south runway just over our heads, it’s just too much,” he said.
Melbourne Airport Community Action Group founder Hannah Robertson said there was “no way” everyone would be able to move.
“We’re going to lose property value, it’s not going to be feasible for everyone to move and it’s going to rip apart the community if we have too,” she said.
Ms Robertson said sleep disruption caused by excess noise could have disastrous consequences.
“Living near an airport increases the risk of anxiety and depression, it’s suspected to increase the risk of diabetes and heart disease. Even children who go to schools near airports, it affects their learning,” she said.
Hume Residents Airport Action Group founder Frank Rivoli said there was no more room at Tullamarine for more runways.
“We see it all too often where community interests are weighed against economic outcomes,” he said.
“The solution is to expand aviation to Avalon airport and build a new airport east of Melbourne.”
Moonee Valley Mayor Samantha Byrne said there was “no doubt” the runway would have a greater impact on those south of the airport.
“It’s not just the noise. This is going to have a huge impact on the number of people commuting to and from the airport, and on the amount of traffic travelling through Moonee Valley,” she said.
Cr Byrne said an Airport West train station would be crucial to accommodate growth at the airport.
Hume Planning and Development Director Michael Sharp said the council was preparing background studies and investigations to assess the impacts of the runway alignment.
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Melbourne Airport Head of Corporate Communications Grant Smith said the airport had to grow to keep pace with the city’s booming population, tourism needs and demand on freight and trade.
“We understand additional runways impact local residents and throughout our planning process we will ensure community engagement is one of our top priorities,” he said.
“As we prepare our Draft Major Development Plan, studies will be undertaken covering air quality, aircraft noise, ecology, health and social impacts, greenhouse gas emissions and transport.”