The Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss has announced the Australian Government has approved the Melbourne Airport master plan.  In the press release accompanying the announcement, Mr Truss has emphasized the importance of Melbourne Airport to the Victorian economy.

The Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss has announced the Australian Government has approved the Melbourne Airport master plan.  In the press release accompanying the announcement, Mr Truss has emphasized the importance of Melbourne Airport to the Victorian economy.

The Master Plan sets out the airports direction for the next 20 years and provides for upgrades to airfield facilities, new aircraft movement areas, and improved transport networks to the airfield.

Currently Melbourne Airport supports 14,300 direct jobs and 43,000 indirect jobs whilst contributing $1.47 billion a year into the state of Victoria economy.

By 2033, the airport is forecast to employ 23,000 workers directly and a further 72,000 workers indirectly and pumping $3.21 billion into the state of Victoria.

The Master Plan does not include approval of further runways.  There will be the need for further consultation prior to any approval of a new runway.

http://www.minister.infrastructure.gov.au/wt/releases/2013/December/wt050_2013.aspx for a copy of the media release.

http://melbourneairport.com.au/about-melbourne-airport/planning/master-plan.html for the Master Plan homepage