Australia's parliament has passed a law requiring airport owners and operators to have broader consultation with the state and local communities when planning development works.
Operators, including those at major hubs in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, must make their plans recognising that "airports exist primarily for aviation purposes, there to serve the national economy and the flying public," says the transport ministry.
Airports must include community consultation for their master plans and major development works, spell out anything that could have an impact on the local community, and ensure that the proposals outline ground transport linkages and information on proposed non-aeronautical development.
Runway alterations that could "significantly change flight paths or aircraft noise arrangements" must go through a public consultation process. Non-aviation developments such as residential, aged or community care facilities, hospitals and schools should be excluded from these plans, says the ministry.
The airport's environmental plan must also be incorporated into their proposal to ensure that "comprehensive information" is given to the public.
"We are serious about giving greater voice to local communities over airport planning and better integrating those plans with local and state planning laws," adds the ministry.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
