Melbourne Airport reconsiders current plans for new runway

Plans for a crucial new runway at Tullamarine have taken a hit after new data forced bosses to reconsider their current proposal. And now the project could be delayed for up to a year.

Melbourne Airport has gone back to the drawing board over its plans for a vital third runway that would run from east to west at Tullamarine.

Consultation on the project, which authorities claim is vital to manage the airport’s booming growth, has been extended after new wind data forced authorities to reconsider the proposal.

Plans to build third runway were first announced in 2013 and since then community groups in Melbourne’s north have rallied against its east-west alignment because they fear new flight paths will create major noise issues over local hospitals and schools.

But Melbourne Airport chief executive Lyell Strambi said he had been forced to pause the process after wind speeds at Tullamarine were discovered to be stronger than first thought.

“The wind gusts are more extreme and are at their highest during the morning and afternoon peak times,” he said.

“If you think about Sydney on a bad day there’s the potential we could have times where we can’t fly planes off two runways.

“However if we build the north to south runway first there’s a real chance we won’t need to build another tarmac for a long time.”

The new wind speed figures were discovered after improvements were made to the airport’s control tower that allowed it to collect better data.

Resident's along Melbourne's north have rallied against plans for an East West runway at Melbourne Airport. Picture Jay Town.

Mr Strambi said staff would now consult widely with experts to choose the best option.

“It is important to be clear that at this stage there has been no decision to change the direction of the runway,” he said.

“Instead, we will enter a period of technical consultation with our airline customers, the federal government, regulatory bodies and other stakeholders to inform our final decision.

“You can’t bury your head in the sand. The airport has always planned to eventually have four runways and we need to make sure we do this the right way.

“We are committed to communicating and listening to the community while fulfilling our responsibility to deliver this state and nationally significant infrastructure.”

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If authorities decide to change their plans and elect to build a north to south runway the project could be delayed for up to a year.

“I do have appreciation that there’s a bit of uncertainty created by this decision,” Mr Strambi said.

“At the end of the day we do need a new runway to cater for the fastest growing airport in the nation’s fastest growing city.”