MELBOURNE Airport and the state government are being urged to give
higher priority to a rail link from the airport to Sunshine station.
In its submission to the airport’s latest masterplan, Brimbank
council said the long timeframe proposed by the government to deliver
the service was a “significant concern”.
“The masterplan should acknowledge the importance of Sunshine
railway station in providing direct access to the airport, via
Sunshine, from Geelong, Bendigo and Ballarat,” the submission said.
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The council also called on authorities to improve bus connections
to the airport, including an extension of the SmartBus 901 from the
Airport to Watergardens, Keilor, Taylors Lakes and Sydenham, and extra
services to Sunshine and St Albans.
“Growth and development of the airport is impacting on the
Brimbank road network through increased traffic along Arundel Road and
Keilor Park Drive,” the council’s submission read.
The masterplan, released in May, revealed that Brimbank could
expect 230,000 daily movements to and from the airport by 2033. It
admitted a “heavy dependence” on local roads, with just 10 per cent of
movements to the airport in 2011 involving public transport.
The plan stated: “Melbourne Airport supports the further
development of public transport options including a rail link connecting
the airport and the city . . . but ultimately it’s a state government
decision.’’
With 22,633 homes in Keilor, St Albans and Sunshine beneath
existing flight paths, the council also called for a better way of
monitoring and reducing noise levels.
“Noise is not directly addressed by the masterplan,’’ the council
submission said. “The airport should acknowledge some responsibility.
Many complaints have been received when aircraft have cut flight paths
and flown over Keilor Village, contrary to flight paths and noise
abatement procedures.”
Melbourne Airport spokeswoman Anna Gillett said local government
involvement in the masterplan was welcome. “We’ll consider the
council’s submission along with other submissions we receive through the
public consultation period which ends on August 21,” she said.
A government spokesman did not respond before the Weekly deadline.
