September 13
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 the 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 to 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.
