The federal government has approved the construction of a third runway at Melbourne Airport, which will bring it in line with the freight and passenger capacity of Sydney and other internationally competitive airports.
Construction on the runway is not estimated to be completed until 2031, with Melbourne Airport itself expected to bear the brunt of the $3 billion cost.
Conditions have been imposed on the construction of the runway, including a legally enforceable commitment to restore the length of the east-west runway to maximise opportunities for noise sharing and the implementation of a noise amelioration program to communities most impacted by the project.
“This is an incredibly important economic development project for Victoria, and I know it’s been eagerly awaited by the state and the business community,” Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King says.
“My decision to require the airport maintain sufficient capacity on the existing east-west runway is to support effective noise sharing at Melbourne Airport, so that no one community bears the brunt of the airport’s growth.
“The noise sharing plan will be developed in consultation with local communities over the years to come.”
Melbourne Airport has released a timeline for the construction of the new runway, which will start with the commencement of major earthworks to level the site for runways and taxiways starting 2025.
Work on airspace and flight paths and commercial negotiations with airlines will start in 2024.
To achieve a successful opening in 2031, Melbourne Airport says the following goals must have been achieved:
- Changes are made to airspace, flight paths and the airport’s operation that focus on using the parallel north-south runways when airline demand requires.
- The parallel runway system opens and capacity for passenger and freight growth at Melbourne Airport is supported over the next 20-plus years.
- Growth in the number of flights will occur gradually over several years and full use of the flight paths will not be required for some time, allowing for flexibility (particularly at night) to use the airport in ways that minimise and share noise impacts for communities.
- After the opening of the third runway, some works will continue because the new runway will need to be available so other areas can be closed to complete works.
To view Melbourne Airport’s full fact sheet and timeline surrounding the construction of the new runway, click here.
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