[thorn bird]

Quote:

A spokesman for Essendon Airport said that "the runway characteristics of the new master plan do not in any way reduce safety at Essendon Fields Airport".

Err, scuse me, what about utility and viability for aviation? Perhaps scrutiny of the 99 year Commonwealth leases and the clauses pertaining to the prohibition of reducing utility, and not maintaining the airport in it's original condition.
A so called master plan is just a convenient way of circumventing the intention of the lease.

Quote:

"Safety is always the number one priority in our airport operations," he said.

No it's not, MONEY is the number one priority.

Quote:

"In our opinion, approval processes have been abused or ignored to promote non-aviation property uses at the expense of safety for aviation operations."

Thats what happens when airports are given to development sharks to manage.

Quote:

"Public submissions on the airport's master plan close on Tuesday. The plan and any submissions received will then be sent to the federal Transport Minister for approval".

For approval, read rubber stamp, could be nice little political donation to follow.