Brimbank residents have expressed concerns about Melbourne Airport’s community consultation on its noise amelioration plan, describing the airport as trying to “downplay” the potential noise impacts of a third runway.
The noise amelioration plan – a requirement as part of the commonwealth approval for the third runway project – will inform the noise amelioration program, which is due to be submitted to the federal infrastructure minister for approval in late 2026.
The program is designed to mitigate the impacts of aircraft noise for residents and sensitive public buildings in the Hume and Brimbank communities.
A Melbourne Airport spokesperson told Star Weekly the program would target homes and public buildings which are most likely to be affected.
“Eligibility for residences will be determined according to the conditions of the Minister’s approval …within the ANEF25 (Australian noise exposure forecast) contour. We sent more than 1100 letters to homes within this area seeking feedback on how residents would like us to consult with them,” the spokesperson said.
Keilor Lodge resident and lead campaigner opposing the runway Shannon Meilak said she did not receive one of the recent letters despite living in close proximity to the airport.
“I was informed that some residents who received these flyers in Keilor, discovered their neighbours had not,” Ms Meilak said.
“This is underhanded and misleading …They [Melbourne Airport] want us to believe only a tiny number of homes will be impacted. We all know the reality … the noise will affect far more families and they are doing everything they can to downplay it.”
In Melbourne Airport Community Aviation Consultation Group (CACG) meeting minutes from February this year, the airport estimated roughly 750 homes across Hume and Brimbank will be impacted by ANEF25+ and roughly 30 homes in Hume could expect significant impacts (ANEF30+).
“This narrow estimate will likely be used to decide who qualifies for any noise amelioration program,” Ms Meilak said.
According to the airport spokesperson, hundreds of homes, schools, childcare centres and medical facilities are expected to be eligible to participate in the program, though the final figure will not be confirmed until 2026 when updated noise forecasts are released.
The airport spokesperson said Melbourne Airport has been transparent about the additional aircraft noise some communities will hear.
“We welcome feedback from anyone who believes they may be impacted, even if they did not receive a letter,” the spokesperson said.
The consultation period runs until the end of November and the spokesperson said residents can participate via the online survey and through in-person sessions, with details to be realised on the airport’s website shortly.
Ms Meilak believes community consultation carried out via the CACG is “designed to spruik [Melbourne Airport’s] projects and actions to the community rather than actually hear from impacted residents and record feedback from stakeholders”.
“The CACG is chosen by Melbourne Airport, so it’s open to influence,” she said.
While the chair of CACG is independent, the role is elected by two Melbourne Airport representatives and a community representative from CACG, according to CAGC terms of reference.
