Fast-track runway, new airport
The State Government has called on Perth Airport to fast-track a third runway while flagging the search for a new airport site.
Releasing the 95-page WA State Aviation Strategy for public comment, Transport Minister Troy Buswell said though aviation was mostly a Federal jurisdiction, the risk to WA's economic and social development from air services and airports falling behind was too great for the State not to play an active role.
"It's imperative that Perth Airport now needs to bring forward the development of a third runway to avoid damaging and disruptive delays," Mr Buswell said.
Perth Airport is expected to conclude the business case for the third runway soon.
Airport chief executive Brad Geatches says it cannot unilaterally decide to construct a third runway without airline support but is urging them to get aboard. "We want to get on with it," he said.
The WA Department of Transport compiled the report with key government agencies covering economic development, planning, tourism, local government and regional development.
Airlines, airports, the resources and energy industries and key players in general aviation were consulted.
The report said forecasts of WA aviation activity consistently underestimated actual growth.
In 2004, Perth Airport's forecast of annual passenger movements was 12.6 million in 2026 but this level was reached last year, the report said.
The airport concedes its activity forecasts have been conservative but points out it relies on a variety of data sources that were also wrong.
However, the department commissioned GHD, one of the world's leading engineering, architecture and environmental consulting companies, to produce independent growth forecasts for 2012 to 2032.
Its growth projections are 30 per cent above Perth Airport's latest forecast.
The State Aviation Strategy report said "congestion at Perth Airport is creating additional costs and inefficiencies across the community, commerce and industry, and is contributing to delays and inefficiencies at regional airports across the entire State aviation network".
The report said the departments of planning and transport were undertaking preliminary work to identify a suitable site for a new metropolitan airport.
However, the report says Perth's current airport is likely to meet Perth's requirements for the next 40 to 50 years.
