Melbourne airport: Plane noise a major concern amid airport expansion plan

PLANS for a huge expansion of Melbourne Airport, to meet growing demands for air travel over the next 20 years, have been released. But the changes will impact thousands of homes in the northwestern suburbs.

PLANS for a huge expansion of Melbourne Airport, to meet “significant demands” for air travel over the next 20 years, have been released.

But the changes will impact thousands of homes in the northwestern suburbs, which will bear the brunt of more aircraft noise under the proposed plans.

Gladstone Park, Westmeadows and Broadmeadows homes are set to be impacted the most, with residents told they will have to live through aircraft noise double the level it is now.

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A new east/west runway would be built next to the existing east/west runway, which would also be expanded, under the proposal.

The community is urged to have their say on the new draft master plan, outlining a vision to meet a significant increase in demand for air travel expected during the next two decades.

Airport modelling shows 35 per cent of planes landing on the new runway will fly over Westmeadows and Gladstone Park between 6am and 11pm every day.

Arrivals are forecast to run at two per cent between 11pm and 6am.

Meanwhile, 49 per cent of arrivals using the expanded, existing east-west runway will fly over Broadmeadows and surrounds between 6am and 11pm. They currently have 23 per cent of the airport’s arriving planes flying overhead.

Hume Residents Airport Action Group secretary Frank Rivoli said the added noise would mean thousands of homes would need to be retrofitted with double glazing and insulation.

“People have to speak out now and not wait until the runway is in place,” he said.

Melbourne Airport spokesman Grant Smith said to help reduce the impact the majority of aircraft would depart over the green wedges to the north and west of the airport.

A community forum will be held at the Hume Global Learning Centre- Broadmeadows, on August 11 from 11am-2pm

Public submissions close October 5.

To view the plan visit my.melbourneairport.com/masterplan