Australia's National Local Government Newspaper Online

Airport Development Consultation Guidelines

On 12 December 2006 the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Regional Services, the Hon Mark Vaile MP, released the Airport Development Consultation Guidelines, which set out the Government's expectations regarding community and other consultation surrounding development at Australia's 22 leased federal airports.

In releasing the guidelines Mr Vaile said, "Communities have an expectation that they will be consulted effectively about these intensely local issues. These guidelines will highlight to all parties the importance of consultation between airport lessee companies, and the relevant stakeholders, on all land use, planning and developments at leased federal airports."

The guidelines were developed in consultation with Local, State and Territory Governments, with airport lessee companies and key Commonwealth agencies, such as Airservices and CASA. They complement the Airports Amendment Bill 2006 that was introduced into the House of Representatives on 30 November 2006. The Government considers that the amendments being proposed by the bill and the release of the guidelines demonstrate that it takes very seriously the views of the community in relation to airport development.

This approach to ensuring that communities are consulted on the planning and development of airports was viewed as preferable to a highly prescriptive regulatory process covering the level, means and detail of public consultation.

A copy of the Consultation Guidelines is available at www.ministers.dotars.gov.au/mv/releases/2006/December/037MV_2006_attachment.htm

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