BRIMBANK residents fear there will be an unprecedented influx of traffic on the Tullamarine Freeway and Western Ring Road, following Melbourne Airport’s announcement of its preferred orientation for a third runway.
The airport authority last week told a meeting of 200 residents in Broadmeadows that its east-west flight path would fly over Gladstone Park, Westmeadows and Broadmeadows.
Despite planes bypassing Keilor and Avondale Heights, Fight the Flight path spokeswoman Jody Freestone said residents were worried traffic would become a nightmare on the nearby freeway and ring road. The airport plans to increase passenger numbers from 28million to 60million during the next decade.
While an east-west runway is the authority’s preferred option, it said a fourth runway could eventually be built. If approved, a north-south runway would fly directly over Keilor Village.
Ms Freestone called for Avalon Airport to be considered as an alternative. “We aren’t opposed to a third runaway or more international flights; we just have alternatives. There are many airports around the world that sit at the same distance Avalon does from our CBD.” She said the group, which held a community meeting in Keilor on Sunday, had launched a petition and hoped to get 25,000 signatures before the master plan was put on display in February.
Since 1990, airport master plans have shown designs for a third and fourth runway in either east-west or north-south configuration to accompany the two existing runways. A new runaway is likely to be built some time between 2018 and 2022 to meet demand from domestic and international airlines.
Melbourne Airport spokeswoman Anna Gillett said the authority was finalising noise impact studies. “It’s important to note that our preference and even the master plan itself is not an approval for the third runaway.
“We are required to seek approval through a major development plan and this process is likely to start around 2015-16 and will involve further consultation with the community and other stakeholders,” she said.
The government is studying the feasibility of a rail link to Tullamarine. It also plans to build a rail link to Avalon at a cost of $250 million.
To sign the petition, go to fighttheflightpath.org.au
