Herald Sun: Jobs are the future. 19 March 2014

Jobs, jobs, jobs has become the Napthine Governments mantra in the run-up to the state election on November 29.

Its East West Link promises some 8000 jobs over its first stage and a further 16,000 jobs could be created under a new master plan for Essendon Airport.

Planning Minister Matthew Guy’s announcement today of a $2 billion blueprint for the Essendon Fields and Airport West precinct looks forward for the next 30 years.

This is the sort of proactive development Victoria needs. There are 75 hectares of land available for future housing, with businesses growing alongside a major population increase.

Planning for Melbourne Airport at Tullamarine was always farsighted. Instead of being contained by the city, as has happened with Sydney Airport, where runways have had to be extended into Botany Bay, Tullamarine has proved to be a site for the future.

New runways are planned at Tullamarine, as well as a new hotel and more aviation facilities. Another airport in Victoria’s southeast is also under planning consideration.

Avalon is the preferred airport for Geelong and the southeast with Jetstar pushing for international flights to be allowed to Bali and Pacific destinations. Jetstar is promising 100 new skilled jobs as it names Melbourne as the base for a new Boeing and Airbus fleet flying out of Melbourne and Avalon.

Unlike Sydney, Melbourne and Avalon airports are not restricted by curfews. Aviation continues to be a success story for the state and with it more jobs take wing.