As part of the lease agreement with the Federal Government and in compliance with The Airports Act, Melbourne Airport has released its Airport Environment Strategy 2008 (AES), outlining activities that will be undertaken to ensure the long term sustainability of the environment in and around Melbourne Airport.

As part of the lease agreement with the Federal Government and in compliance with The Airports Act, Australia Pacific Airports (Melbourne) (APAM) – the operator of Melbourne Airport – has released its Airport Environment Strategy 2008 (AES), which outlines activities that will be undertaken to ensure the long term sustainability of the environment in and around Melbourne Airport. Final responsibility for environmental management at Melbourne Airport lies with the Australia Pacific Airports Corporation Board and the Chief Executive Officer, along with key committees and appointed APAM staff. However, all airport staff and businesses are required to meet the requirements of The Airports Act as part of their daily operations.

The 127-page Strategy has been published in draft form to allow for public consultation and comment by July 11. It has been published in conjunction with the Melbourne Airport Master Plan 2008, which outlines the vision for the airport’s medium and long term future, including plans for terminal development, transport access and other key developments.

“These two documents are critical to the future planning of Melbourne’s aviation infrastructure,” said Simon Gandy, the airport’s General Manager, Strategy, Planning and Environment. “Their purpose is to provide certainty for Melbourne Airport’s neighbours, the tourism industry, the business community and all levels of Government that all airport growth will continue to be well-managed, appropriately-timed and will be undertaken with a clear ‘no surprises’ approach.”

“We were the first Australian airport to achieve international standard ISO14001 accreditation of our Environment Management System, and we continue to reduce our water, waste and energy consumption whilst maintaining a fast-growing airport operation that serves over 22 million passengers each year,” said Chris Woodruff, CEO and Managing Director, APAM. “This Strategy sets the framework and direction of Melbourne Airport’s environmental commitments for the next five years and is critical to ensuring we remain accountable for our environmental performance. It is designed to provide an overview of where we have come from over the last five years, how we are organising ourselves to manage our environment and engage with our key stakeholders, as well as stating our intent for the coming five year period. This will be accompanied by both measurable targets and tangible outcomes to demonstrate delivery.

“As part of the Strategy, we will continue to report each year to the Commonwealth and the public, on our performance against our Strategy’s measures.

“More broadly however, the Melbourne Airport Environment Strategy will continue to have an impact far beyond this five-year period. The objectives set within this document have been established to ensure a strong, sustainable future for the environment and resources affected by Melbourne Airport’s operation.

“Even beyond our critical moral obligations of strong environmental accountability, a strong plan for the long-term sustainable future of the environment in and around Melbourne Airport simply makes good business sense, and helps to ensure Victoria’s international gateway remains a key part of the working fabric of this state.”

For more information, view the plan online.