By Tate Papworth
Keilor residents are calling for the return of a noise monitor as Melbourne Airport deliberates on a direction for its long awaited third runway.
An east-west runway was nominated as the airport’s preferred option in 2013.
But last month the airport revealed that a north-south runway might provide a “superior outcome”.
A north-south option would mean additional traffic over Brimbank suburbs, including Keilor.
Worried Keilor residents say the extra traffic will only compound already high noise levels and are calling for the return of a noise monitor. One was removed by Airservices Australia in 2016.
Keilor Residents and Ratepayers Association spokesperson Susan Jennison said the absence of a monitor had been an ongoing issue ever since then.
“They (noise monitors) are not that expensive and another could have been established within the Parks Victoria site, for example at the former Horseshoe Bend Farm site,” she said.
“Negotiations started on that a few years back. It’s like they really don’t want to know the accurate records for the public to find out about.”
Virginia Tachos, a fellow Keilor resident, said additional noise could have health impacts on the community.
“Another north-south alignment for the third runway will have significant impacts on Keilor, particularly as it is directly under the north-south flight path,” she said.
“All other major cities have a curfew. Melbourne Airport doesn’t and I’m concerned about the impacts on my community’s health with increased flights and noise, as well as the removal of the aircraft noise monitor from Keilor.”
Melbourne Airport insists it is yet to make a decision on the third runway and says it will take all community feedback on board.
The airport is holding a series of community workshops: In Keilor on July 16 from 2-4pm and 6-8pm; in Sunshine on July 18 from 2-4pm and 6-8pm; and in Taylors Lakes on August 3 from 10am-noon and 2-4pm. Registration required: my.melbourneairport.com
