By Star Weekly
By Tate Papworth and Ewen McRae
A workshop to get community feedback on the new Melbourne Airport runway will be held in Melton.
The airport last week announced that plans to build a third runway with an east-west alignment had been put on hold because a north-south runway could possibly “deliver superior outcomes”.
The airport already has two runways – one north-south, the other east-west.
The airport has long planned to include four runways in a hashtag formation and had resolved to build its third runway with an east-west alignment.
But Melbourne Airport chief executive Lyell Strambi said new data had prompted a re-think.
“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,” he said.
Mr Strambi said it had been determined an east-west runway would allow for significantly less traffic than first thought.
If the airport opts to build in a north-south direction, it would mean an rise in traffic over Brimbank suburbs and less traffic over Melton.
Mr Strambi 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 during which 18 community workshops will be held.
Mr Strambi said it was imperative the airport made the correct decision, but was conscious of its responsibility to neighbouring communities.
A workshop will be held in Melton from 6pm on Tuesday, July 23. Register: bit.ly/2JnrfkX
