Melbourne Airport has welcomed the federal government’s approval of the Southern Precinct program that includes development of a new domestic terminal facility, 17 new aircraft parking bays, dedicated ground transport facilities and significant road upgrades.
The Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport gave regulatory approval to the Major Development Plan, which forms part of the airport’s $10 billion program of investment over the next 20 years.
Melbourne Airport CEO Chris Woodruff welcomed the approval. “The projects, which are being driven by strong domestic passenger growth, will build on Melbourne Airport’s role as an employment centre and will also provide the Victorian economy with a significant boost through the construction period and ongoing operation,” Woodruff said.
“We will look to finalise discussions with our airline customers with a view to the terminal being operational by mid-2015.”
Early works are due to commence in May with construction on the new terminal expected to start in the last quarter of 2013. The new terminal will be built on 20,000 square meters of land between the existing Terminal 3 and Terminal 4 buildings. The new terminal will have a capacity to cater for up to 10 million passengers a year.
