Circuit Training at Moorabbin Airport Circuit Training at Moorabbin ...

• Consideration would need to be given to buffering of satellite airports and noise impacts of
aircraft transiting to such airports.
Victoria has long recognised that airports are important community infrastructure facilities
for both Melbourne and regional areas and, as such, require protection from encroachment
from sensitive land uses in the planning system and Victoria Planning Provisions (VPP). The
Baillieu Government’s aviation policy reinforces this policy setting.
The State Planning Policy Framework includes provisions for planning in the vicinity of
airports and the Airport Environs Overlay is currently applied in areas affected by aircraft
noise for airports in 26 planning schemes across Victoria, including the Kingston Planning
Scheme. Many municipalities, including Kingston, also have strong policy support for their
airports as part of their Local Planning Policy Frameworks.
The planning tools available in the VPPs for protection of airports are acknowledged in the
National Aviation Strategy.
This framework is complemented by Commonwealth requirements that independently
chaired Community Aviation Consultation Groups be established at all leased federal
airports. These Groups are expected to address day‐to‐day concerns relating to airport
operations, including noise abatement and other matters raised by the community
Airservices Australia:
CASA as the regulator is the appropriate area to address this question.
City of Kingston:
There is a need to focus on the long term. If existing trends continue our communities will not
tolerate the safety and noise issues associated with pilot training on an ongoing basis.
Relevant government agencies should investigate the establishment of a training facility
located away from built up urban areas.
City of Greater Dandenong:
The City of Greater Dandenong made an identical submission to the City of Kingston.
MARA:
Mangalore, Bayles or Hastings (Tyabb) would be suitable sites.
9.3.2. Can helicopter companies be encouraged to move some or all of their
circuit or hover training to an alternate site?
Similar issues apply to helicopter operations, although as helicopters cost much more to
operate the willingness of operators to conduct training away from Moorabbin is more
limited. A short transit time becomes more important.
Some companies already conduct some training at remote sites. In 2003 the MAACC
conducted an investigation together with a major helicopter operator and found that the
Melbourne Water site at Thompsons Road would be suitable for a limited transfer of some
training operations, if a suitable landing site within the complex could be identified and an
access road installed in case of emergency need. This did not proceed because Melbourne
Water was unwilling to allow access or use of the site.
Can a viable site be found? The most likely site is Melbourne Water at Thompsons Road.
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