Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said today that she has called for a fresh draft master plan (FDMP) for Archerfield Airport among concerns that the submitted plan did not establish a strategic direction.
Archerfield Airport Corporation's 2022-24 Preliminary Draft Master Plan (PDMP) was first exposed to the public in December last year, and covers the development plan for the airport from 2022 to 2042.
"The Government has concerns that the draft Master Plan submitted by Archerfield Airport Corporation (AAC) does not provide an adequate level of detail in several areas surrounding the airport’s land use, future developments and environmental impact management," Minister King said.
"I have therefore used my authority under the Airports Act 1996 to ask AAC to provide a fresh draft Master Plan for consideration within 180 days.
"My main concerns include that the draft Master Plan does not clearly establish the strategic direction for economic and efficient development of the airport over a 20-year planning period, or appropriately indicate the intended uses of the various precincts on the airport site to airport users, the community and the aviation industry.
"The draft also does not fully demonstrate how the proposed approach to land use will meet the present and future requirements of civil aviation and other airport users."
Highlights of the submitted PDMP are:
- realignment of the secondary grass runway complex
- identifies the primary areas for future aviation developments in the Wirraway precinct, between the Eastern Apron and Beatty Road, the area between taxiways Hotel and Juliet and in multi-purpose industrial and aviation precinct at the northern end of Beatty Road
- provides an updated assessment of heritage values, and sets out how these will be managed
- a recently endorsed 2042 ANEF, as required under the Airports Act 1996
- updated OLS/PANS-OPS plans, consistent with the upgrading of runway 10L/28R
- updated information on the management of lighting and wildlife in the vicinity of the airport
- additional and updated information on ground transport
- revised planning information, consistent with current planning strategies policies and controls
- additional information about how AAC will manage developments and other initiatives anticipated within the first eight years of the Master Plan.
Minister King also addressed a concern over the level of community consultation, but expressed confidence that all issues could be worked through.
"I have concerns about the draft Master Plan’s approach to community consultation on potential aircraft noise impacts relating to general aviation operations in the immediate vicinity of the airport," she said.
"I am confident the matters raised can be worked through with AAC to ensure the plan is revised appropriately and the airport community is provided the certainty it needs to plan and invest for the long term.
"The Government has also asked AAC to take every opportunity to share its plans with all relevant stakeholders as it prepares a fresh draft Master Plan."
The current 2017 master plan will remain in force until a new FDMP is approved.
The submitted 2022-42 PDMP is on the Archerfield Airport website.