Sarah Oliver
Community consultation is underway from today for the development of a third runway at Melbourne Airport.
The airport’s draft Master Plan and the preliminary Major Development Plan documents were released Monday detailing the projected works.
Both plans confirm a north-south direction for the third runway, which is set to be completed by the end of this decade.
The airport rail link project is also expected to be finished by that time.
The new runway is expected to take four to five years to build in a staged process, and will be built 1.3 kilometres from the existing south-west runway.
It will be 3000-metres long and will result in the shortening of the east-west runway and changes to flight paths.
There will be three different ways the runways can be used, with both arrivals and departures to use the new runway.
Airport chief executive Lyell Strambi said the plans were the first step in the process.
“It is a really exciting step in the ongoing development of the Melbourne Airport, but it’s just a step, it’s not the end game, or the completion of anything at this stage,” he said.
“It’s the first time the community has been really able to review the plans and have their input into the development itself.
“It doesn’t mean the runway will be built tomorrow, they are very long term projects.
“It’s an exciting time and there’s lots of work to do.”
The consultation process will run until May 16.
A further report will be developed following the consultation, which will include the community feedback.
Details: www.melbourneairport.com.au/runway
