CONCERNS about noise pollution and an influx of aircraft traffic have been raised at a meeting to discuss Melbourne Airport’s plans for a third runway.
More than 150 residents attended last Thursday’s meeting with the Community Aviation Consultation Group in Keilor.
Keilor Residents and Ratepayers Association president Susan Jennison told the Weekly that despite the airport authority announcing that an east-west flight path would go over Gladstone Park, Westmeadows and Broadmeadows, residents still feared a north-south runway could be next, with planes flying directly over Keilor.
She said the new runway could also mean more low-sitting heavy international planes would fly over Keilor after 10pm every night.
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The Weekly reported late last year that while an east-west runway is the authority’s preferred option, a fourth north-south runway could eventually be built. A north-south runway would fly directly over Keilor Village, passing homes and businesses near Keilor Park Drive.
‘‘There are many issues with this master plan and the airport still hasn’t adequately addressed noise issues in this region,’’ Mrs Jennison said.
‘‘This new runway will actually affect Keilor, because there is talk of the take-off for international planes coming through Keilor anyway.
‘‘Secondly, there will be an influx of noisy aircraft as the airport increases the number of planes leaving.’’
Keilor resident John Kosnar, 85, said more than 10 planes already flew over his house every night, keeping him awake. He called for a night curfew for the new runway, to stop planes flying between 11pm and 6am. ‘‘Sometimes they fly so low the walls shake and vibrate.
‘‘I have lived here for 70 years and I realise the airport has to progress with population growth and more people wanting to travel, but there is a time and place for everything and the wellbeing of residents needs to be considered, too.’’
Melbourne Airport spokeswoman Anna Gillett said the authority was finalising noise impact studies. She said where possible flights were directed to green wedge areas to the north and west of the airport and over non-residential areas.
Planes were generally routed to avoid flying over Bulla, Craigieburn, Greenvale, Keilor, Meadow Heights, St Albans, Sunbury and Sydenham.
If flying over these suburbs cannot be avoided, a minimum height for jet aircraft is not to be below 5000 feet above ground level, and for a propeller aircraft not below 3000 feet above ground level.
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 runway is likely to be built sometime between 2018 and 2022 to meet demand from domestic and international airlines.
The airport’s draft master plan is due to be released before the end of this month and will be available for public comment for 60 days.
Details: melbourneairport.com.au
