While talk has been around for years of a new (international) airport in Cardinia Shire, things really began to heat up last year. In October of 2017, Brian Paynter (the Member for the Bass electorate) ran a survey which had more than 1000 responses to garner peoples’thoughts on a proposal put forward by private developers to build such an airport.
In July of this year, the Cardinia Shire council stated it had been kept in the dark regarding any such plans, but were still urging the State Government to find a location for such an airport in the area.
The drive for this new airport seems to come from the Melbourne-based Paragon Premier Investment Fund, or the unnamed financier that they say has approached them.
It is interesting to note that both Cardinia Shire Council and Casey Council appear to be behind locating an international airport in this locality, despite a growing need for improved and increased train and road infrastructure in the region.
Estimate indicate that the proposed airport would have 2 runways initially, with cargo flights beginning by 2020, with provisions for two more runways, based on a catchment of about 1.5 million people. The focus on cargo flights would be a boon to Victorian agriculture in the area, allowing almost direct transport to Asian markets.
There is some opposition to the proposal, and significant upset from residents of the area. The spectre of compulsory acquisition of farming land haunts the project, as well as the impact on lifestyles, and farmers.
What do you think of the proposed Koo Wee Rup airport?