Kingston Council is calling for stronger protections to protect the long-term future of aviation at Moorabbin Airport.
Council and local businesses are calling for changes to federal laws to make sure aviation businesses have a greater say in planning at Australia's airports.
Kingston and the Moorabbin Airport Chamber of Commerce had raised concerns during the recent Moorabbin Airport Masterplan process that aviation businesses and the community had been left in the dark about the future of the site.
Kingston Mayor Jenna Davey-Burns said under the current laws, only a first draft of the masterplan had to be displayed for public comment – with no transparency on further drafts until the final plan was approved.
"While we were pleased to ultimately see the final draft included significant changes to address our concerns, we should not have been locked out of the planning process," Cr Davey-Burns said.
"It is utterly absurd that aviation businesses and the community were kept in the dark about the contents of the masterplan for the public land.
"As the second busiest airport in Australia, Moorabbin plays an absolutely critical role in the industry, training around a third of the nation's pilots and providing vital links to Tasmania, King Island, rural and regional NSW, and SA."
Deputy Mayor Tracey Davies, who has worked closely with the airport businesses to campaign for change, said Kingston Council will lodge a submission to the Australian Government's current review of aviation policies calling for change.
"We are pleased that the Minister's review of aviation has commenced and hope it results in critical changes to ensure the rights of aviation businesses, neighbouring homes and critical safety issues are properly addressed through updated policies," Cr Davies said.
Council is calling for:
- Stronger requirements for consultation with airport businesses and local communities during airport Master Plan processes.
- Greater investment in airport facilities to keep them well maintained.
- Greater protection for neighbouring homes to stop tall buildings being built close to the fence lines.
- Stronger regulation over privately-run airports.
Kingston Council approved its submission to the Australian Government's review at its November Council meeting.The full submission is available on Council's website in the meeting agenda.
