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DPM Barnaby knocks YMMB PDMP on the head -    

Via a MACCI Media Release:

Media Release 31 March 2022

The Moorabbin Airport Chamber of Commerce Inc (MACCI) is delighted with today's decision by the Deputy Prime Minister, the Honourable Barnaby Joyce, to reject the Moorabbin Airport, 2021 Draft Preliminary Master Plan, a win for General Aviation in Australia

The Goodman Group took a commercial lease over Moorabbin Airport in 1999 that has been managed by the Moorabbin Airport Corporation (MAC). Since this time, MAC has undertaken minimal development into General Aviation and in 2020 taxiways, aircraft parking areas and aviation hangars were destroyed to make way for large commercial warehousing, unrelated to aviation.

This is contrary to the requirements, as set out in federal legislation, for the MAC to “promote the sound development of civil aviation in Australia”.

MACCI believes that combined with the Australian Government recent COVID recovery plan for aviation (The Future of Australia’ Aviation Sector - Flying to Recovery), this decision by Mr Joyce sends a strong signal across Australia, that our airports are an important part of the Australian infrastructure network and that the overdevelopment of aviation sites for non-aviation, commercial purposes will not be tolerated by the Australian Government.

Over the past two years, MACCI has worked closely with the Kingston City Council (KCC) to achieve the decision released today. The MACCI would like to acknowledge the tireless and concerted efforts from its members and the wider aviation community and sincerely thank all involved for their support.

Over the coming weeks and months MACCI plans to commence open and positive dialogue with the MAC with the aim to promote and expand general aviation at Moorabbin Airport.

Until significant, positive outcomes are achieved for General Aviation, MACCI will continue to lobby the Australian Government not to renew the Goodman Group lease and for the Australian Government to develop and exhibit firm oversight into airport management around this great country.

Once again, thank you Mr Joyce for stepping up and looking after General Aviation in Australia

For further information MACCI President Rob Simpson Info@macci.org.au

Via the Yaffa:

Minister rejects Moorabbin Master Plan

31 March 2022

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce has today rejected the 2021 preliminary draft master plan (PDMP) for Moorabbin Airport.

The PDMP, submitted to Joyce for approval by Moorabbin Airport Corporation (MAC), part of Goodman Group, envisaged the loss of more existing aviation infrastructure over the five-year life of the plan.

Rob Simpson, President of the Moorabbin Airport Chamber of Commerce Inc.n(MACCI), said his organisation was delighted with the outcome.

"MACCI believes that combined with the Australian Government recent COVID recovery plan for aviation (The Future of Australia’ Aviation Sector - Flying to Recovery), this decision by Mr Joyce sends a strong signal across Australia, that our airports are an important part of the Australian infrastructure network and that the overdevelopment of aviation sites for non-aviation, commercial purposes will not be tolerated by the Australian Government," Simpson said.

"Over the past two years, MACCI has worked closely with the Kingston City Council (KCC) to achieve the decision released today. MACCI would like to acknowledge the tireless and concerted efforts from its members and the wider aviation community and sincerely thank all involved for their support."

Kingston City Council, in which Moorabbin Airport sits, has also campaigned for the PDMP to be rejected.

"We welcome the Australian Government's refusal of the proposed masterplan and believe it sends a clear signal in support of the local aviation industry," said Kingston City mayor Councillor Steve Staikos.

"We want to see adequate space set aside around runways to ensure safety and secure a strong future for aviation businesses, plus see much tighter controls to limit commercial development near neighbouring homes.

"We believe the decision at Moorabbin Airport is an important one for Local Governments around Australia who have a strong role to play in enhancing aviation policy."

Simpson said that MACCI would soon attempt to meet with MAC to promote and expand general aviation around the airport, and continue to encourage the Department of Transport and Infrastructure to adopt a firmer stance towards the airport operators.

"Until significant, positive outcomes are achieved for general aviation, MACCI will continue to lobby the Australian Government not to renew the Goodman Group lease and for the Australian Government to develop and exhibit firm oversight into airport management around this great country," Simpson said.

The PDMP stated that 44 hectares of land would be developed for non-aviation purposes over the next eight years, leaving 40 hectares for aviation support businesses.

Several aviation companies have been evicted under the previous plan and hangars demolished, whilst several other had been given notice that they were to vacate with no suitable alternative premises being made available to them.

Plus via AOPA Oz on Facebook (edited for spelling):

MOORABBIN AIRPORT MASTERPLAN REJECTED,
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER STEPS IN TO SUPPORT AVIATION AT PRIVATISED AIRPORT SITES

The privatised airports industry have been sent a powerful message today with the formal rejection of the Moorabbin Airport Masterplan by the Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Barnaby Joyce MP.

“AOPA Australia thanks the Deputy Prime Minister for taking swift and decisive action to reject the Moorabbin Airport Masterplan, which prioritised non-aviation use at the site above aviation” Benjamin Morgan: CEO, AOPA Australia.

“The rejection should serve as a major wake up call for privatised airports, that they do not have the unfettered freedom to carve out extensive non-aviation real-estate, to the detriment of aviation business and users.

“We are encouraging the Deputy Prime Minister and the Department of Infrastructure to review in detail the development and construction at Moorabbin Airport to date, and should there be clear examples of breaches to the head-lease or redevelopment that was undertaken without Ministerial consent, to take immediate and swift action in terminating the airport operators lease with the Commonwealth.

“Such an outcome would enable the Commonwealth to rapidly restructure and realign the interests of aviation stakeholders at the airport, bringing with it a wave of new opportunity to reestablish a growing aviation economy at the airport.

“The association extends our thanks and appreciation to the various organisations and stakeholders who have been advocating for this sensible outcome.  This includes the significant body of work undertaken by our good friends at the Moorabbin Airport Chamber of Commerce, the Kingston City Council and AMROBA.

“AOPA Australia is now calling for a review of the Bankstown and Camden Airports Masterplan, seeking the Deputy Prime Ministers and Department of Infrastructure support,” he said.

Well done BJ, compliments from the BRB and the IOS...

MTF...P2