Laura Michell and Tara Murray
Melbourne Airport has asked the state government to give it more power to intervene in developments which could impact aircraft operations or lead to noise complaints.
Airport operators Australia Pacific Airports (Melbourne) has made a submission to the state government’s Melbourne Airport Environs Safeguarding Committee, which was set up to advise the planning minister on improvements to the planning provisions safeguarding the airport.
In its submission, Melbourne Airport called for the government to designate it as a referral authority, meaning applicants would formally be required to consult with the airport on any developments in the surrounding area.
The submission states that the airport is currently notified of planning permit applications as though it were a “third-party objector”.
The submission cited recent applications and approvals which had the potential to generate a large number of noise complaints or impact on aircraft operations, including a housing development in Green Gully Road, Keilor.
It also highlighted that while there had been changes to the urban growth boundary, there hadn’t been any changes to the planning process in recent years nor to the mapping of the Melbourne Airport Environs Overlay [MAEO] which was last changed in 2007.
The submission also questioned the logic of allowing new urban development, such as Hillside, on land surrounding the airport.
It states the airport receives about 20 noise complaints per month – a figure the airport says will rise in the coming years.
Operators fear that if they are not granted a greater say in nearby developments, the airport could face constraints on its operations, such as a curfew or a reduction in airspace.
“It is clear from both local and international experiences that, with increased density in populations around airports and underneath flight paths, the number and frequency of complaints regarding noise is likely to increase,” the submission states.
“Constraints such as restrictions on flight paths, aircraft volumes (even during daylight hours) and aircraft types are all potential risks to the flexibility that Melbourne Airport’s operations presently enjoy.”
Melbourne Airport chief financial officer Grant Devonport said that if approved, referral authority status would ensure the airport is consulted from the outset on development subject to noise impacts, and those that have the potential to impact on aircraft operations.
“It will allow us to deliver strategic planning outcomes that benefit the community and the state, while continuing to protect the long-term growth of the airport,” he said.
Brimbank council, which put in an initial submission, is finalising another submission to the committee, which will include a response to the airport’s proposal.
Council city development director Kelvin Walsh said the airport was an important neighbour.
“Council remains committed to meaningful engagement on issues that are critical to the community, such as local amenity, environmental issues, emergency management and stakeholder engagement.” he said.
“Council is currently required to notify Melbourne Airport of planning applications where the use and development requires a planning permit under the Melbourne Airport Environs Overlay provisions. These applications are generally for noise sensitive uses such as residential.
“If Melbourne Airport did become a referral authority, council would be required to refer relevant applications to it as opposed to the current requirement of advertising applications.”
