CANBERRA AIRPORT TO BE PLACED ON EQUAL FOOTING WITH OTHER LEASED AIRPORTS

The Australian Government will introduce legislation amendments to remove the requirement for Canberra Airport to comply with the National Capital Plan and to seek works approvals from the National Capital Authority (NCA), the Minister for Transport and Regional Services, Warren Truss and Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads, Jim Lloyd, announced.

Mr Truss said the decision will place Canberra Airport on an equal footing with the other 21 Federal Leased Airports across Australia.

"As with these other airports, planning and development on the Airport will be governed by the Airports Act 1996 and associated regulations.

"This decision will remove the unnecessary duplication and regulatory burden on the Airport. Approvals for development at the Airport, including its Master Plan and Major Development Plans will follow the comprehensive processes of the Airports Act 1996.

"The Airports Act requires that Master Plans and Major Development Plans are subject to a fixed 90 day public comment period. This is a generous fixed period where any party, including ACT Government agencies, ACT businesses and residents will be able to put forward their views on development proposals," Mr Truss said.

By comparison, within the Australian Capital Territory, the ACT Planning and Land Management Act 1988 and the Land (Planning and Environment) Act 1991 provide that draft variations to the Territory Plan can be made available to the public for comment for just 15 business days. Copies of any comments are then made available for inspection for a further 15 business days.

Under the new legislation, the airport will be required to develop a new Master Plan to take account of the changes to its regulatory arrangements.

"I take the consultation process and views expressed very seriously," Mr Truss said.

Mr Lloyd said the decision in no way diminishes the role of the NCA.

"The Australian Government recognises - and will always defend - the role of the NCA in the planning of the nation's capital," he said.