Council pushes for more scrutiny on Melbourne airport upgrade
“Concerns” about what effect a planned $3bn upgrade to Melbourne airport will have on a community’s “health” have led to this move.
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A Melbourne council is pushing for a review into the newly announced third runway at Melbourne airport.
Infrastructure Minister Catherine King approved a $3bn third runway for Melbourne airport in September last year, with the 3000m-long strip booked for completion in 2031.
The airport’s operators say the extra runway will secure 51,000 jobs and inject an additional $6bn a year into Victoria’s economy.
“The third runway will deliver jobs and economic growth for the state of Victoria and incredible opportunities for the people of Melbourne’s northwest,” Melbourne airport chief executive Lorie Argus said.
“It will also give airlines the room they need to grow, which will provide travellers with more choice.
“Melbourne airport was specifically designed to be Victoria’s primary 24-hour international gateway and we’ve been safeguarding for this expansion for decades.”
However, Brimbank City Council has serious concerns about the project and has applied for a merits-based review.
“As always, Brimbank council’s priority is to ensure the third runway does not unreasonably compromise the health, wellbeing and amenity of the community affected by Melbourne airport,” a council statement read.
The matter will now be reviewed by the Federal Administrative Review Tribunal.
NewsWire approached the city for comment on the nature of its concerns about the project, but a spokesman said “council is unable to make any further comment on the matter of the merit review, as it will be the subject of proceedings at the Administrative Review Tribunal”.
The runway is expected to be built parallel to the existing north-south strip, west of the control tower. Early works are set to begin this year, with an opening date booked for 2031.
Originally published as Council pushes for more scrutiny on Melbourne airport upgrade