Cardinia Shire Council in dark over Koo Wee Rup airport plan
CARDINIA Shire Council says it has been kept in the dark about a $7 billion plan to build an airport near Koo Wee Rup to service Melbourne’s southeast.
South East
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CARDINIA Shire Council says it has been kept in the dark about an investment company’s plan to build a $7 billion southeast airport.
But it has again urged the State Government to find a location for an airport in the area.
Melbourne-based Paragon Premier Investment Fund said it had a letter of intent from an unnamed financier to build an airport near Koo Wee Rup that could be as big as Tullamarine by 2022.
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Managing director Alande Mustafa Safi, who lives in Berwick, said the plan would need to be approved by the State and Federal Government, and would be presented to the Victorian Government next week.
He said it didn’t need any government backing or funding to proceed.
Cardinia Shire Mayor Brett Owen said the council had not spoken to Mr Safi, but there was definitely a need for an airport in the area.
HAVE YOUR SAY: Is Koo Wee Rup the right spot for a third Melbourne airport? Tell us below
“The development of a new international airport would be a key economic driver for Melbourne’s southeast, particularly given the imminent closure of the automotive manufacturing industries across Melbourne,” he said.
“We look forward to working with the Victorian Government and any potential investors to identify a suitable site for the next international airport in Melbourne’s southeast.”
Fellow Paragon fund director Gerard Kennedy said Mr Safi was “tapped on the shoulder” about the airport while he was in Dubai.
“We did not go looking for an airport as part of our portfolio ... it just came out of the blue,” he told ABC radio.
“He got tapped on the shoulder from some people who said ‘we want an airport in southeast Victoria’.”
Mr Safi also raised plans for an airport in Melbourne’s southeast in March.
Leader readers largely expressed support for the idea.
“I would use it better than the 160km and two-hour round trip plus the tolls and parking,” said Lesley Mullineux.
“Fantastic, as long as the road structure is set up as well.,” said Marian Good.
“We don’t need any more congestion out this way, but if this is done it will be brilliant and (will create) a lot of jobs locally instead of having to travel into the city.
The Cranbourne Leader has sent questions to Mr Safi.