Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King this week approved the controversial 2021 Moorabbin Airport Master Plan.
The master plan has been in limbo since April 2021, with the approval coming only after Minister King called for a fresh plan and further information earlier this year.
"I have taken the decision to approve Moorabbin Airport’s next Master Plan following careful consideration and within the provisions available to me under the relevant legislation," King said.
"The new Master Plan will better protect the future of general aviation in Melbourne and set the future vision for one of Australia’s busiest airports.
"I acknowledge that there have been stakeholder concerns with the master planning process relating to Moorabbin Airport, particularly around community engagement and general aviation planning processes.
"However, the plan resolves a number of stakeholder concerns raised with the previous draft and paves a strong path for growth.
"This includes by setting flight training as a strategic driver of the airport’s development plan, with student numbers set to increase from the current 1350 to 1800 by 2041."
Central aviation aspects of the master plan include:
- the western boundary of the northern apron will remain where it is
- 10,000 sqm of new apron to be developed
- 100 new aircraft parking spaces
- 300 more aviation jobs
- 12 new hangars
- the fifth aviation sub-precinct will not be developed because aviation stakeholders don't support it
- preparations for electric and hydrogen-electric propulsion systems
- potential to expand classroom space by adding second stories.
Moorabbin Airport Corporation CEO Paul Ferguson mixed-use development would remain a part of MAC's strategy for the future.
"The focus of Moorabbin Airport always was, and always will be, on safe aviation," he said. "Our approach for future land use is framed around growth, safe airspace, general aviation, flight training and education as well as sustainable aviation infrastructure.
“We’re committed to creating a world-leading sustainable, mixed-use urban site with safe aviation, training and education facilities while supporting commercial, industrial and retail operations to drive employment growth and local community prosperity.
“Moorabbin Airport’s success as an urban centre for economic activity is the result of 25 years of strategic planning, delivery, safety and customer support. We look forward to this next Master Plan period, which will grow the airport’s reach and further our ability to safely support the aviation industry, as well as the local community well into the future.
“Developments and renewal are essential to the airport. This is consistent with the Commonwealth’s policy of commercial development being essential to the airport’s operational and financial viability. Moorabbin Airport relies on a thriving ecosystem of mixed-use customers for aviation space growth and funding.
"With aviation at our heart, areas that are for non-aviation will greatly help to upgrade legacy infrastructure to benefit aviation and non-aviation customers."
The complete 2021 Master Plan is on the Moorabbin Airport website.