By Oliver Lees
Melbourne Airport has thrown its support behind the construction of the Bulla Bypass in its draft Master Plan document.
On January 31, the airport released its draft Master Plan and preliminary Major Development Plan, which lays out the vision for the construction of a third runway.
According to Melbourne Airport chief executive Lyell Strambi, the construction effort is necessary to meet growing demand for air travel.
“Our existing two-runway configuration was nearing capacity before the onset of the pandemic, and prior to COVID-19, airlines and their customers frequently experienced delays in peak periods due to the airport’s congested cross-runway systems,” Mr Strambi said.
The airport’s forecast growth is significant, with annual passenger numbers expected to grow from 37.4 million passengers in 2018-19, to more than 76 million by 2042.
As identified in the airport’s draft Master Plan, this increase will impact not only the airport itself, but surrounding suburbs that use the same arterial roads.
“The combined population of the Sunbury Growth Corridor and Northern Growth Corridor is expected to exceed 300,000 people when fully developed,” the document stated.
“This growth will put increasing pressure on Sunbury Road, and other freeway and arterial road corridors in the north-west metropolitan area.”
The document lists the construction of the Bulla Bypass as one of three “significant improvements” necessary to accommodate the increased number of road users.
“Melbourne Airport supports these road projects and recognises their value in ensuring reliable journey times for airport passengers, employees, and people living and working in the region.”
Sunbury Residents Association president Graham Williams said the Bulla Bypass was a “long overdue promise” that needs to be addressed immediately.
“With the increasing population in Sunbury, this is a major traffic route and it’s obvious that the Bulla Bridge route is not suitable for the already significant traffic volumes, let alone growth,” Mr Williams said.
“We remain concerned that the latest state government advice is only for allocation of funds for more studies on the bypass.
“Timelines are still unknown and only limited community consultation was undertake for those residents immediately adjacent to the suggested end points of the bypass – none with the community in general.”
A state government spokesperson told Star Weekly Major Roads Projects Victoria is undertaking planning for the construction of the bypass, which will include the needs of Melbourne Airport and surrounding businesses.
