Moorabbin Airport gets go-ahead for $285m Master Plan

The $285 million plan will see new and upgraded training sites, 10,000 square metres of new apron pavement, and provisions for sustainable aviation initiatives such as electric and hydrogen power. The airport says the plan will generate a 38 per cent increase in economic benefit per year by 2029.

“Our approach for future land use is framed around growth, safe airspace, general aviation, flight training and education as well as sustainable aviation infrastructure,” said Moorabbin Airport Corporation CEO Paul Ferguson.

“We’re committed to creating a world-leading sustainable, mixed-use urban site with safe aviation, training and education facilities while supporting commercial, industrial and retail operations to drive employment growth and local community prosperity.

“Moorabbin Airport’s success as an urban centre for economic activity is the result of 25 years of strategic planning, delivery, safety and customer support. We look forward to this next Master Plan period, which will grow the Airport’s reach and further our ability to safely support the aviation industry, as well as the local community well into the future.”

According to Minister King, the plan resolves “a number of stakeholder concerns” around the previous draft, and “paves a strong path for growth”.

“This includes by setting flight training as a strategic driver of the airport’s development plan, with student numbers set to increase from the current 1,350 to 1,800 by 2041,” she said.

“It tightens land use controls to protect the core aviation precinct, confirms the airside fence on the Western apron will not be moving, and highlights Moorabbin Airport Corporation’s commitment to act to minimise environmental impact in targeting net-zero by 2050.”

“The plan also forecasts strong employment growth that will make a real difference for the aviation sector and region, with the current 16,500 direct and indirect jobs set to grow to 23,100 by 2029.”

The plan also identifies 200,000 square metres on 40 hectares of land for “appropriate non-aviation development”.