The federal government has approved a third runway for Melbourne Airport, with conditions set to share and minimise the effects of aircraft noise on surrounding communities.
Transport Minister Catherine King on Friday announced the go-head for the runway construction, saying it will allow the airport to cater for the demand of a growing city and provide better access for freight and passengers.
“Throughout my consideration of this proposal, the needs of the local community have been front of mind,” she said.
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The “most comprehensive” set of conditions for a project of this type had been imposed, the minister said, referring to noise abatement requirements.
They include provision of a legally enforceable commitment to restore the length of the east-west runway and an airspace plan to prioritise sharing of aircraft noise between affected areas.
The airport is also required to implement a noise amelioration program for communities most impacted and conduct a community health study into the effects of noise before and after the establishment of the third runway.
“These conditions, along with relevant environmental requirements, mean that we are balancing the growth of the airport with the needs of the communities on the ground,” the minister said.
She said the set conditions were designed to ensure “no one community bears the brunt of the airport’s growth”.