A Greens Senator has raised concerns Melbourne Airport’s third runway was approved without proper consideration of a health study on the runway’s impacts to residents in the western suburbs.
A Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee hearing on Tuesday 7 October heard Transport and Infrastructure Minister Catherine King had been presented with only one chapter of the Quigley and Watts health study on the third runway – a study commissioned by Australia Pacific Airports Melbourne (APAM).
The health study has not yet been released publicly.
In the hearing, Greens Senator Steph Hodgins-May questioned what information Ms King was presented with on development approvals for the third runway.
“We’ve just got some concerns from the community within the western suburbs who I think have a right to question why only one portion of the report was considered for such a significant development,” Ms Hodgins-May said.
Infrastructure, transport, regional development, communication and the arts department assistant secretary Sarah Nattey said she didn’t know the extent of the information the department would have considered.
“.. .but it would’ve been a full package of information provided by APAM,” Ms Nattey said.
“…. I would suggest that the only information provided to the minister would’ve been chapter three [of the Quigley and Watts health study] if that’s the only information provided to us.
“…. it’s part of the reason why the minister took such proactive steps to place conditions on the Melbourne third runway major development plan.”
Some of the conditions include the design and implementation of the noise amelioration plan and program, a 20-year community health study and the restoration of the east-west runway.
Ms Hodgins-May asked whether it was unusual for the minister not to request the full report.
“It just sounds strange, does it not? To just have one chapter when there’s an entire study that’s been done,” Ms Hodgins-May said.
In response, Ms Nattey said, under the airports act, obligation sits with the airport operator company to provide the information for the minister’s consideration, and that it isn’t up to the minister to request anything.
“If there’s insufficient information to inform her decision she or a delegate … can request information,” Ms Nattey said.
