Max Hatzoglou
Retired general practitioner Dr Mike Howson has called for an independent review of the proposed third runway at Melbourne Airport.
Plans for the new runway were released to the public earlier on February 2, with the community invited to provide feedback through to mid-May.
Dr Howson who owned general practices for 24 years at Essendon, St Albans and the Royal Children’s Hospital said residents don’t know what’s coming.
“The amount of noise that they’re planning to send over Keilor is amazing, they won’t know what’s hitting them,” Dr Howson said.
“It’s five times the amount of noise that Brisbane Airport’s getting right now and they’re going out of their minds and it’s half the distance to the airport for Keilor residents compared to Brisbane residents.
“It’s going to be a fairly unpleasant place to live from what we’re looking at.”
Dr Howson wants an independent review of the plans to ensure the safety of residents, particularly children.
“It would be lovely to get a fully independent expert group to look at this and see whether it is safe.”
Dr Howson believes the community should contact ministers, Melbourne Airport, and the owners of the airport.
Dr Howson, who lives near the airport, also warned that people living in Keilor could have sleep disturbance and sleep cycles affected.
“They’re planning to fly as few planes over Keilor as they can but even if you are flying a plane over every half hour, you’re going to upset sleep patterns especially with noise levels we are looking at,” he said.
“If it’s around 70 or 80 decibels indoors, then that is going to disturb sleep.
“I don’t think the (Melbourne) airport has produced the evidence that tells us that there is no harm going on, and that the noise levels are acceptable.”
Dr Howson said the third runway would affect other areas outside of Keilor as well, mentioning Kealba, North Sunshine, Keilor Downs and Cairnlea.
Melbourne Airport was contacted for comment.
