By Staff Reporter
By Tate Papworth and Laura Michell
Melbourne Airport’s plans for a third runway have been grounded.
The airport has long planned to include four runways in a hashtag formation and had resolved to build its third runway on an east-west alignment.
But Melbourne Airport chief executive Lyell Strambi said new data indicated east-west might not be the best option for the third runway.
“Due to a number of factors which have changed over time, we have undertaken a planning review over the last six months to assess whether east-west remains the preferred option for the third runway that we announced in 2013,” Mr Strambi said.
“Our review provides strong evidence to suggest the north-south parallel could now provide a superior outcome in terms of availability, capacity, long-term investment profile and community impacts.”
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Melbourne Airport’s 2018 draft master plan predicted a new east-west runway would result in flights passing over Gladstone Park and Westmeadows for the first time.
Mr Strambi said wind shear was now recorded more precisely than when initial plans were announced, so it had been determined an east-west runway would allow for significantly less traffic than first thought. He said a decision on the best option would be made as soon as possible.
“We really need the runway capacity and the sooner we can build it, the better,” he said.
The airport anticipates a three-month review period. As part of the process, 18 community workshops will be held, giving locals the opportunity to speak with planners.
Hume Residents Airport Action Group spokesman Frank Rivoli said while Gladstone Park and Westmeadows residents were relieved to hear the new runway may not be east-west, they were mindful that an additional north-south runway would impact on people living in Keilor and Sunshine.
“We have always held the view that additional runways, whether they be east-west or north-south, do not protect communities,” he said. “We believe the use of Avalon, particularly in the future … could take the pressure off Melbourne.”
