Melbourne Airport has released a 20‑year draft master plan, titled Draft Master Plan 2027, to guide the expansion of the country’s largest 24‑hour gateway. The plan details upgrades to the domestic terminals and safeguarding infrastructure, and it formalises the Eastern Extension Project, which will extend the east‑west runway by 345 metres. This extension compensates for the shortening required at the western end of the runway to accommodate the construction of a third runway.
The third runway project has previously raised community concerns about increased air traffic and its potential impact on residents’ health. In July, Brimbank Council secured legally binding measures with Melbourne Airport, and the airport reported that it had reached a legal agreement to “work together to deliver initiatives that support community wellbeing and deliver tangible benefits to the local community.” The draft master plan also introduces a Noise Sharing Plan for the third runway, a government‑mandated requirement, with public consultations open until October.
Melbourne Airport chief executive Lorie Argus said the draft plan would ensure the airport has the necessary airfield, terminal and ground‑transport infrastructure to serve Melbourne’s growing population over the coming decades. She added that the airport is working with state and federal governments to deliver an airport rail connection to Sunshine and to improve local bus services for surrounding communities.
The draft master plan is open for public comment until 4 November. Further details can be accessed at the airport’s website, and the Noise Sharing Plan is available through the Melbourne Airport Projects Hub.
Melbourne Airport unveils draft master plan
10/08/2026
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Draft designs. Photo supplied.
Melbourne Airport has unveiled a 20-year vision for Australia’s largest 24-hour gateway, with plans to enable better connections to Australia, the world and nearby neighbourhoods.
The draft master plan 2027 outlines how Melbourne Airport will expand to accommodate increases in passenger numbers
It puts forth upgrades to the domestic terminals and safeguarding infrastructure with a promise to strengthen links to the airport.
The draft plan also formalises the Eastern Extension Project, a 345-metre extension of the east-west runway, to account for shortening at its western end required for construction of Melbourne Airport’s third runway.
The airport’s third runway project previously sparked community concerns over how increased air traffic would negatively affect resident’s health. In July, Brimbank council secured legally binding measures with Melbourne Airport reporting they had reached a legal agreement to “work together to deliver initiatives that support community wellbeing and deliver tangible benefits to the local community.”
Melbourne Airport chief executive Lorie Argus said the draft plan would help ensure the airport has the infrastructure it needs to serve Melbourne’s growing population over the coming decades.
“We need to plan ahead to ensure we have the airfield, terminal and ground transport infrastructure in place to adequately service the growing number of travellers, exporters and importers who are using Melbourne Airport,” she said.
“As we continue to work with the state and federal governments to deliver their airport rail connection to Sunshine, we also need to plan for better local bus services to our surrounding communities.”
Locals can have their say on the plan until 4 November. Details: http://www.melbourneairport.com.au
Melbourne Airport has also introduced a Noise Sharing Plan for the third runway as required by the government with public consultations open until October. This can be viewed at https://www.melbourneairportprojectshub.com.au/noise-sharing-plan
