Michaela Meade
Hume council has raised concerns about proposed Melbourne Airport planning changes.
The council partnered with Brimbank council to file a joint submission to the Melbourne Airport Environs Safeguarding Standing Advisory Committee (MAESSAC), which is seeking feedback on a range of changes it has proposed to address the airport’s safeguarding.
Hume council tabled the submission at last week’s meeting, with a council report stating that officers found issues with some of the proposed changes.
“While some of the proposed planning controls have merit, the policy changes proposed … fail to balance competing planning needs and objectives by prioritising Melbourne Airport considerations over other needs of future communities in Hume and other council areas across Melbourne,” the report said.
Council officers said changes to airport controls would “significantly restrict” developments in Hume, such as the Hume Central, Northmeadows and Seabrook Reserve projects.
Cr Karen Sherry said it was important to balance the needs of the airport with future development in the municipality.
“Council has recognised that there needs to be an appropriate balance between achieving [safeguards] and enabling a much-needed development of new homes and services in our community,” Cr Sherry said.
“In general, I think [the proposal] really flies in the face of [planning].”
Cr Naim Kurt said the proposal was “an excellent starting point” but would put council at risk of not fulfilling planning strategies.
“I’ve got serious concerns about this about Melbourne Airport becoming what would be a determining authority,” he said.
“To have a private company having ultimate say in what our community can develop, I think, raises all sorts of questions.”
