New Melbourne airport: Land to be secured in next five years, Andrews Government pledges

LAND in Melbourne’s south east could be the site of Melbourne’s new airport, which would serve one third of the state’s population.

The Andrews Government has pledged to secure land for a new airport, likely to cost $5 billion, in the next five years. Picture: Carla Gottgens/Bloomberg

LAND near Koo Wee Rup, in Melbourne’s south east, could be the site of Melbourne’s new airport.

The Andrews Government has pledged to identify land for the new airport, likely to cost $5 billion, in the next five years.

It would supplement the existing main international airport at Tullamarine and the secondary low-cost option at Avalon, near Geelong.

A southeast airport would serve one third of the state’s population and be near tourist attractions such as Phillip Island and the Mornington Peninsula.

A third airport is a key feature of Plan Melbourne 2017-2050 — the Government’s metropolitan strategy for the next 33 years.

A third airport is a key feature of Plan Melbourne 2017-2050. Picture: iStock

The State Government has vowed to preserve this future option by incorporating planning protection for flight paths and noise contours and the alignment for a connection to the rail line at Clyde.

A spokesman for Planning Minister Richard Wynne said the airport had been earmarked for operation beyond 2030, should demand warrant it.

“Melbourne Airport and Avalon Airport still have capacity to take more flights, but nevertheless we won’t make the same mistakes Sydney has made,” the spokesman said.

“We need to plan ahead for aviation to avoid being blind sided as Victoria grows.”

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The State Government said it would be up to the Commonwealth Government to grant aviation approvals and the private sector to fund any development.

Rosemary West, from the Green Wedges Coalition, said the group was against the plan.

“We don’t want another airport covered in shopping centres and other commercial developments not normally allowed in the Green Wedges,” she said.

The Shire of Cardinia mayor Brett Owen said the council welcomed the State Government’s commitment to identify and select a suitable location for an airport in the south east region.

“Our region will continue to experience significant growth over the coming years and SEM believes the development and operation of an airport will be a major economic and employment driver for our communities,” Cr Owen said.
“We also welcome the commitment by the State Government to incorporate a connection

to the rail line at Clyde as part of their investigation into possible sites.”

Melbourne Airport spokeswoman Carly Dixon said Victoria’s southeast was an ideal location to begin the planning process for a new airport.

“With long-term considerations such as land ownership, noise contours, flight paths and market access all to consider, we’re very supportive of moves to start that safeguarding process within the scope of this latest update to Plan Melbourne,” she said.

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