Koo Wee Rup residents Gavin and Natalie Adams with kids Max, 11, Ryan, 7, and Chase, 1. Source: News Limited
A THIRD major airport for Melbourne is a step closer with two possible sites identified on the city's southeast fringe.
The State Government is looking at farmland between Koo Wee Rup and Lang Lang for an airport that could be as big as those in Adelaide and the Gold Coast.
It would potentially serve a third of the state's population with domestic flights, while international services might be offered as a second-stage development.
The airport option is a key feature of Plan Melbourne - the Government's metropolitan strategy up to 2050, due to be released today.
Planning Minister Matthew Guy said the airport would be close to the South Gippsland Highway, the planned Koo Wee Rup bypass and a possible rail link.
"Melbourne has a population base to sustain two, maybe three airports, while Sydney can't even get another runway on its existing airport," he said.
"So we're way ahead of other Australian cities and it builds on our capacity as a freight logistics capital of Australia."
Possible site for a third airport in Victoria. Source: HeraldSun
Mr Guy said the Government was working on the proposal with Cardinia Shire Council and would seek private sector investment once the site was finalised.
Cardinia Mayor Cr Brett Owen said it was an exciting idea.
"It would benefit millions of people, create thousands of jobs, ease traffic congestion, increase tourism and together with the Port of Hastings, be the foundation for a sustainable regional economy," he said.
The sites under consideration are in the vicinity of Monomeith and Caldermeade, which is flat farm land about 78km southeast of the CBD.
Koo Wee Rup resident Gavin Adams, 33, welcomed the proposal.
"We support the development of an airport in this area because so much of the population is on this side of Melbourne and it can be difficult to head out to Tullamarine," he said.
His wife Natalie, 31, was also in favour but was worried about the impact of aircraft noise as the airport expanded.
Under Plan Melbourne, the airport would be part of an integrated "economic triangle" for the city, linking transport and infrastructure in the southeast to intermodal transport hubs in Melbourne's north and west.
Melbourne could get a third airport. Source: Supplied
Major jobs precincts are envisaged at Dandenong South, Monash, La Trobe, Parkville, Sunshine and East Werribee.
Mr Guy said the metro strategy would also ensure that at least half of the city's residential zoned land would be protected from unit and highrise apartment development.
"We're focusing on delivering density in defined locations, not in our quiet suburban streets. We will direct new development to areas with appropriate infrastructure to support greater density," he said.
With Melbourne's population expected to reach 6.5 million by 2050, the strategy sees the creation of new boulevards in growth areas and the concept of a 20-minute city where jobs and services are within reach of residential communities.
As Melbourne's growth suburbs fill up, the focus will be on regional towns to absorb the growing population.
- with Jonno Nash
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