Parafield Airport Master Plan
Date: 07 May 2010
Federal Members of Parliament, Mark Butler, Tony Zappia and Nick Champion have said the decision of Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Anthony Albanese not to approve the Parafield Airport 2009 draft Master Plan this week comes as no surprise.
The Minister was not satisfied with the community consultation undertaken by Parafield Airport in preparing its draft Master Plan. Parafield Airport will now have 12 months to develop and submit a new draft Master Plan. The existing 2004 Master Plan remains in force until the Minister approves a new Master Plan. In the past there has been confusion relating to the responsibility for activities on the Airport and this can only be resolved by common sense, cooperation between all parties and proper mechanisms being in place for community involvement. During the consultation period for the draft Master Plan, residents across the electorates of Port Adelaide, Makin and Wakefield expressed concerns with the community consultation undertaken by Parafield Airport over its draft Master Plan. "In a joint submission to the Airport in response to the draft Master Plan we highlighted a number of concerns on behalf of our constituents, in particular the lack of accurate data around current and future aircraft movements. The Minister acknowledged the lack of accurate data was a significant factor in his decision not to approve the Draft Master Plan" said Mr Butler. "Residents in my electorate want to know what aircraft movements they can expect over their suburbs now, and into the future" said Mr Champion. Tony Zappia said "Parafield Airport needs to ensure there is clear public information about the hours of flight training and agreed flight paths. Preparation of a new Master Plan provides a fresh opportunity to overcome the concerns leading to the Minister’s rejection of the current proposal and getting a better Master Plan for the Airport." "In the 12 months the Airport now has to prepare and submit a new draft Master Plan, we would like to see the Airport put in place improved air traffic movement data collection, and demonstrate a willingness to work with the community to address concerns about flight training activity" Mr Butler said.
