Tara Murray and Oliver Lees
Melbourne Airport has confirmed it has no plans to compensate residents affected by its plan to construct a third runway.
The airport recently released its draft master plan and major development plan which includes the construction of a third runway.
The runway will be orientated north-south, with the township of Bulla immediately north of the proposed strip.
The new runway is expected to take four to five years to build in a staged process, and will be located 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.
With potential impacts of the construction project impacting surrounding areas, Hume council has used social media to encourage residents to submit feedback.
With a change in flight directions expected to affect those living in Bulla in particular, questions about compensation have been raised.
Compenstation measures could include double glazed windows and helping sound proof houses.
Melbourne Airport chief of infrastructure Simon Gandy said there are no plans for compensation.
“Melbourne Airport opened in 1970 with two runways, and a plan for two more,” he said.
“The proposed parallel north-south runway is in line with the hashtag layout that has been part of approved airport plans since 1990 (before privatisation).
“We understand residents want certainty about what options might be available to them, and at this very early stage in the runway approval process, there are no plans for compensation.”
Mr Gandy said if compensation was considered in the future, that it would be a matter for the airport to determine in partnership with other stakeholders, including the Federal Government, and would likely take the form of assistance with noise attenuation measures such as installation of double glazing or insulation.
Mr Gandy said no compensation for changed flight paths and impacts to residents had been provided previously.
He said while some other airports had offered compensation, Melbourne Airport was in a different position.
“Compensation schemes have been established in Sydney and Adelaide for properties within defined areas, for defined periods of time,” he said.
“However it should be noted that both those airports are much closer to major residential areas than Melbourne.”
Details: caportal.com.au/melair/virtual.
