Councils say planning rules in Melbourne’s airport flight path are outdated.

A public inquiry has heard that planning controls in suburbs around Melbourne Airport are “too vague”.

Experts say a flight curfew may have to be introduced to protect residents whose homes are in particularly noisy areas.

The hearings were launched after Victoria’s Planning Minister Richard Wynne instructed an independent committee to review the effectiveness of the Melbourne Airport Environs Overlay.

It is the first time in twenty years that the government has moved to curtail development around Melbourne Airport. 

Brimbank Council made a submission that describes Victoria’s planning controls for development around the airport as “outdated”. 

Much of the planning for the airport area is based on a 29-year-old document. Meanwhile, the current Melbourne Airport Environs Overlay is based on noise forecasts made in 2003.

With a new runway set to be completed by 2025 that will double the airport’s flight capacity, councils want more clarity on future flight paths and effects. 

Michael Barlow is a town planner with 40 years experience who now works as director of consultancy Urbis. He gave evidence on behalf of the airport’s owner Australia Pacific Airports Melbourne, saying several suburbs that are affected by aircraft noise are not covered by the current airport overlay. 

The State Government is planning to develop new precincts for Hume and Craigieburn West which do not include any reference to aircraft noise.

Mr Barlow said this will mean that “future purchasers may have no understanding that their home will be affected by noise from future airport operations”.

“The safeguarding of the airport is being potentially eroded by individual planning decisions that collectively have or may have a major impact on the long-term operation of the airport – e.g. introduction of curfews or limited use of certain flight paths,” Mr Barlow said.

“It is my view that the decision guideline around number of dwellings and people affected by noise is too vague.”

If state authorities continue approving housing developments in areas affected by flight noise, experts say a curfew is inevitable. Sydney Airport must adhere to an 11pm curfew to protect residents from flight noise.

The planning minister Mr Wynne said the government wants to ensure the “planning provisions that protect Melbourne Airport and cover thousands of properties continue to be effective and take into account future airport expansion”. 

But, he also said that avoiding a curfew at Melbourne Airport is a “longstanding policy of the Victorian government”.