By Laura Michell
Brimbank council has launched a campaign calling for an independent investigation into the potential health impacts of the proposed third runway at Melbourne Airport.
The ‘Know the facts on the third runway’ campaign was launched on Wednesday, September 7, and calls for the federal government to commission the investigation before it makes a decision on Melbourne Airport’s proposal.
Melbourne Airport released its draft Master Plan and draft Major Development Plan (MDP) in February, outlining the future direction of the airport. The plans include a proposal for a third runway, which will run north-south.
Council is opposed to the plans, stating that the runway poses “unreasonable and unacceptable health risks” to the community.
Council is calling for Melbourne Airport to make public the full health impacts report that informed its proposal and to identify appropriate measures to mitigate the impact of aircraft noises on the community.
It also wants the government to not make a decision on the runway proposal until these actions are done.
As reported by Star Weekly, councillors endorsed the campaign last month after a council-commissioned assessment of the health risks associated with Master Plan and MDP found people living in Keilor, Keilor Park, Kealba and Sunshine North will potentially experience increases in sleep disturbances; likely increases in cardiovascular disease and anxiety and depression; and cognitive delays in children in the most impacted areas, including a delay in reading and oral comprehension compared to children in lower noise areas.
According to council, there will be more than 200 flights over Brimbank each day if the third runway is approved, with predicted aircraft noise will exceed the health impact guidance in the World Health Organisation Noise Guidelines that informs the development of best practice international airports.
Mayor Jasmine Nguyen urged the community to back the campaign.
“Melbourne Airport’s proposal for a third runway does not fully explain the significant health impacts this third runway will have,” she said.
“I strongly urge our Brimbank community and communities in the west who would be impacted to support this call to get the facts.
“The economic benefits of a third runway should not be at the expense of the health of people living in Melbourne’s west.”
Melbourne Airport has previously reassured the community it has “devoted extensive effort to exploring the health impacts of the new runway as part of the Major Development Plan process”, and understood the concerns of the community.
Council has created a website as part of the campaign, which enables the community to voice its opposition to the runway to federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King.
Details: thirdrunway.brimbank.vic.gov.au
