A plan for more control over non-aviation development on airport land has been endorsed unanimously by Planning Ministers from all Australian States and Territories.
A plan for more control over non-aviation development on airport land has been endorsed unanimously by Planning Ministers from all Australian States and Territories.
A plan for more control over non-aviation development on airport land has been endorsed unanimously by Planning Ministers from all Australian States and Territories.
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said the plan included applying State environmental and planning laws to non-aviation activities and establishing an independent panel to assess non-aviation related development proposals.
"This panel would include representatives of the Commonwealth and the relevant State Government and be chaired by an independent person agreed to by both," Ms MacTiernan said.
The Minister said the Federal Government was abusing the Airport Act by allowing operators of privatised airports to build massive commercial and industrial estates on airport land without regard to the impact on surrounding areas.
"Issues such as the effect of increased traffic, increased emissions, demand for new services and the potential to undermine other commercial centres are ignored," she said.
"You cannot sensibly plan development on the airport in isolation from the rest of the region."
Ms MacTiernan said the Commonwealth's refusal to have State laws apply, directly contravened the COAG Agreement of 1997.
"As part of that agreement, the Commonwealth expressly committed to enacting legislation to have State environment and planning laws apply to all non-Government tenants and other people who were undertaking activities which did not involve aviation management on Commonwealth land held for that purpose," the Minister said.
"We have agreed to bring this breach to the attention of the Premiers, so the matter can be taken before COAG again for resolution.
"It is also of great concern to me that the profits from these land developments are not being used to undertake much needed upgrades airport services - which was the justification for allowing such development to occur.
"Although the WA Airport Corporation has recently agreed to work with the State Government for better planning outcomes, there is a desperate need to ensure some real control, as the airport's development plans will result in a massive reshaping of the eastern metropolitan region in the next few years."