By XAVIER SMERDON
AVALON Airport is set to become Melbourne’s second international airport following a major Federal Government announcement last week.
The Federal Government announced last Friday that it would amend the airport’s lease, allowing it to build a new terminal and pave the way for it to service international passenger flights.
Avalon Airport chief executive Justin Giddings described it as a win for Victoria and the western suburbs of Melbourne.
“This decision cements Avalon’s future as Victoria’s second major domestic and new international airport,” Mr Giddings said.
The airport’s lease conditions have been amended to allow the building of a new terminal up to 10,000 square metres and up to a cost of $15 million without triggering the need to do a major development plan.
“The amendment has enabled the airport to avoid red tape, cutting at least two years from the time an agreement is reached with an airline to when flights can begin,” Mr Giddings said.
“With this decision, we can now get on with the job of securing an international carrier and building international passenger facilities with just a local building permit required.”
Chairman of advocacy group LeadWest, Anton Mayer, said the announcement was good news for Melbourne’s West.
“In the future it will make it simpler for Avalon to court international travellers,” Mr Mayer told Star.
“I think it is a great win for the West. Avalon is close to some of our iconic things that visitors want to see like the Werribee Open Range Zoo.”
Premier Ted Baillieu said the government would welcome Commonwealth support to build an Avalon rail connection.
