Giant leap forward for Bendigo Airport expansion

 

Plans for a major expansion at Bendigo Airport have taken a giant leap forward with Greater Bendigo City Council last night formally adopting the planning scheme amendment needed for works to commence.

The amendment allows for construction of a 1,600m long runway and new business park and will now be sent to the Minister for Planning for final approval.

Mayor Cr Peter Cox said expanding the airport is a priority for the Council.

“This project is about further growing Greater Bendigo’s economic base by providing better and faster access to the rest of Victoria and the nation,” Cr Cox said.

“It will result in more jobs for the region as business owners realise the potential a new runway provides for expansion. It will also ensure that emergency services can retain their operations at the airport.”

Eleven submissions were received during the public exhibition period for the amendment with seven supporting the proposal and just four opposing it. One of the objections was withdrawn prior to the matter being heard by an Independent Panel appointed by the Minister for Planning.

The panel’s report noted that with only three objectors, there is wide community acceptance of the project “and the potential community benefit from the proposal in terms of jobs and increased economic activity far exceeds any detrimental amenity impacts, which at the very best are minor”.

The panel concluded that noise impacts were acceptable and no evidence was provided that the proposal would impact on surrounding property values.

City Planning and Development Director, Prue Mansfield, said the amendment process had provided ample opportunity for people to have their say.

“Some 1,400 letters were sent to surrounding residents notifying them of the amendment and explaining how to make a submission,” Ms Mansfield said.

“With so few objections, the Independent Panel is right to observe there is widespread community acceptance of this important project.

“The City has addressed concerns about noise by recommending that regular transport flights not be permitted between midnight and 5am without prior written consent from the Council. The panel supported this recommendation.”

City Futures Director, Stan Liacos, said he was looking forward to the amendment receiving final sign-off from the Minister.

“People have talked about this project for 10 years. The talk is nearly over – it’s planned, it’s needed and it’s time to get on with it,” Mr Liacos said.   

“An upgraded Bendigo Airport will inject $34.9M into the local economy and create 84 full-time equivalent jobs so we are very keen to get to work on this major expansion underway as soon as possible,” Mr Liacos said.

The proposed Budget for 2015/2016 includes $6.8M for the project. Of this funding, Council has allocated $2.8M and the remaining $4M is committed from the State Government to help build the $15M redevelopment.

The City is awaiting a $5M commitment from the Federal Government to realise the wider project, which is a major initiative of the City of Greater Bendigo Economic Development Strategy 2014-2020. 

For more information City of Greater Bendigo