Construction of a third runway at Melbourne Airport gets tick of approval

The construction of a third runway at Melbourne Airport has been given the tick of approval by the Federal Government, paving the way for the creation of thousands of jobs and improved capacity at the airport. 

The approval of the Major Development plan for the third runway will enable the beginning of detailed design and construction of the project. 

The granting of approval follows an extensive community consultation period and vigorous assessment of the project’s environmental and social impacts. 

“I have approved the major development plan for the construction of a third runway at Melbourne Airport. 

“This new runway will allow Melbourne Airport to cater for the demand of a growing city, providing better access for freight and passengers and driving economic growth for years to come. 

“Throughout my consideration of this proposal, the needs of the local community have been front of mind,” Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said. 

The new 3,000-metre-long runway is proposed to be built parallel and about 1.3 kilometres to the west of the existing north-south runway. This project will also deliver new taxiways and other enabling infrastructure. 

The new runway is expected to open in 2031, and the parallel runway system will significantly boost Melbourne Airport’s capacity by enabling simultaneous take-offs and landings, helping reduce delays while also providing airlines and new entrants the infrastructure they need to grow. 

Furthermore, the length of the existing east-west runway will be restored to maximise opportunities for noise sharing. 

“Australia’s vast distances and Melbourne’s position on the globe mean demand for air access will continue to grow as our population increases. 

“The new north-south runway will ensure Victoria’s primary international gateway has adequate capacity to serve the state’s needs for future generations. 

“Sydney and Brisbane already operate parallel runway systems, so this will ensure that Melbourne does not become a handbrake on the national air network or the national economy,” Melbourne Airport Chief Executive Officer Lorie Argus said. 

The new runway is expected to generate 51,000 jobs and inject almost $1 billion to the Victorian economy each year. 

Melbourne Airport will also establish the most comprehensive brownfields noise attenuation program in Australian aviation history, as part of the third runway’s development approval. 

This program is going to be delivered for residential dwellings and childcare as well as education facilities that will be most affected by aircraft noise. The brownfields attenuation program will be developed in consultation with local councils, communities, and state and federal government agencies. 

In addition, Melbourne Airport will undertake a long-term study into the health impacts of aircraft noise on the community in the surrounding areas of the airport. Details of this study – including the draft terms of reference – will be developed with input from the Melbourne Airport Community Aviation Consultation Group. 

“The third runway will deliver jobs and economic growth for the state of Victoria and incredible opportunities for the people of Melbourne’s north-west. 

“It will also give airlines the room they need to grow, which will provide travellers with more choice. 

“Melbourne Airport was specifically designed to be Victoria’s primary 24-hour international gateway, and we’ve been safeguarding for this expansion for decades. 

“We’ve heard the concerns from some residents about noise, and we’ve worked closely with the government throughout the approval process to develop terms for a comprehensive noise attenuation program that will support the people most affected by aircraft noise. 

“We know the community will have more questions and we look forward to working through those over the coming years as the project progresses,” Ms Argus said. 

Lastly, Melbourne Airport has stated earlier this year that it will support the development of an above-ground station for the proposed airport rail line that will “ensure the public transport link is in place for the millions of additional passengers that will use the gateway when the third runway is opened”. 

The third runway is estimated to cost $3 billion and will employ up to 500 workers during its construction. 

“Victorians have waited long enough for an airport rail line. We will work with the Victorian Government to deliver their preferred above-ground station at the airport so the rail line can become a reality. 

“With an estimated 45 million travellers a year predicted to be using our airport when the third runway opens, the rail link will support a massive increase in passenger numbers and billions of dollars in additional economic activity for Victoria,” Ms Argus said. 

Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; Melbourne Airport (1, 2, 3, 4); The Urban Developer; Infrastructure Magazine