Page 1207 - Week 03 - Thursday, 31 March 2011
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partnering agreement executed in 2001 to recognise the evolving role which Canberra Airport has in our region. The memorandum of understanding also reflects the shared understandings of both the airport and the ACT government that have developed over the past decade.
Like the partnering agreement, the memorandum of understanding does not represent a legal relationship or obligation for either party, but does provide a framework for cooperation and consideration of how these shared understandings may be progressed into the future. While responsibility for Canberra Airport’s options, operations, growth and planning matters rest with the federal government, the memorandum of understanding provides a mechanism for the ACT government to engage with the airport in these matters. Such engagement is supported by reforms outlined in the commonwealth’s aviation white paper, which highlights the need for greater consultation and jurisdictional involvement in a number of areas, including airport planning and development, safeguarding the effective operations of airports, and minimising the impact of aircraft noise.
As members would be aware, Canberra Airport is a major economic driver for the ACT and surrounding region. The Canberra Airport advises that in the 10 years since it was privatised, more than $600 million has been spent in redeveloping the airport precinct. There are currently 8,000 jobs located at the airport and Canberra Airport precinct, and by 2029-30 it is possible that some 25,000 people will be directly employed at the airport.
Approximately three million passengers pass through the Canberra Airport each year. Canberra Airport recently announced a major new terminal construction project, an investment of $350 million, which the airport believes will create 1,350 jobs. The current airport master plan approved by the federal government in 2009 outlines Canberra Airport’s commitment to developing a commercially sustainable, multi-modal regional and international transport hub to serve the community of the ACT and the region. This includes development of Canberra Airport as an integrated passenger hub, a 24-hour freight hub and business environment integrated into the broader ACT and capital region.
For the government, the location of the airport and the consequential impact of aircraft noise are also a key factor in relation to the planning of new residential development areas, both within the ACT as well as the developments that are currently proposed outside the ACT’s borders. Large scale developments on airport land also have an impact on land release and commercial developments in other major centres across the ACT. The ACT government’s key planning and policy documents, including the spatial plan, identify Canberra Airport as a major part of the economic infrastructure of the ACT and capital region and as a major driver for future development.
While supporting the growth of Canberra Airport, the ACT government continues to be of the opinion that growth must be well planned and managed in close consultation with the ACT community and must take into account the economic, social and environmental impacts of growth in the territory. Whilst there have already been
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