31st October 2023 12:58
Victorian Legislative Council, Melbourne
David ETTERSHANK (Western Metropolitan):
My constituency question is directed to the Minister for Transport Infrastructure. My constituent lives near Melbourne Airport and contacted my office after the federal government released its draft environmental impact statement for the new Badgerys Creek airport.
The draft statement includes a noise insulation policy whereby residents in the noise exposure area would be eligible for free noise mitigation measures such as insulation and double glazing to dull air traffic noise.
This seems to be a sensible and modest measure to ensure the livability of homes which will be adversely affected by aircraft noise.
My constituent asks: will the minister seek assurances from the relevant federal ministers that the proposed expansion of Melbourne Airport to accommodate a third runway will include a similar policy to insulate residential properties, childcare and aged care facilities, libraries and schools against the increased levels of aircraft noise?
Written Answer
Received: 9 January 2024
Hon. Sonya Kilkenny MP
(Minister for Planning, Minister for the Suburbs)
I thank the Member for Western Metropolitan Region for his question, which has been directed to me as Minister for Planning.
I note the draft noise insulation and property acquisition policy released by the Commonwealth Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, and the Arts alongside the draft environmental impact statement for Western Sydney International Airport. The Commonwealth Government is constructing Western Sydney International Airport via a government-owned company, which will operate the airport.
The Victorian Government, in its submission to the Commonwealth Government’s Aviation Green Paper, advocates broadening the scope of the proposed noise insulation and property acquisition policy to include other Australian airports. This would encourage all airport-lessees to proactively administer noise mitigation and attenuation programs for their communities.
Submissions on the Aviation Green Paper will inform the development of the Commonwealth Government’s Aviation White Paper, which is expected to be released in mid-2024.
The Victorian Government supports continued work to minimise noise impacts from airports on local communities, including through appropriate planning provisions, obligations on airports and legislative requirements to ensure good outcomes for local communities as a priority.
[ENDS]
