Cutting red tape

New master plan and MDP requirements would ease unnecessary burdens

The AAA recently lodged a submission in response to a discussion paper from the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development (DIRD) regarding master plan and major development plan (MDP) requirements. This paper sought industry feedback and comment on proposed changes to streamline processes and increase efficiencies in relation to requirements under the Airports Act 1996 for master plans and MDPs.

It is important to note that there are few Australian industry sectors that are subject to the extent of economic regulation and government policy settings that Australia’s major airports are subjected to. This regulation covers a vast array of issues, with everything from the movements cap at Sydney Airport through to prescribed business planning content and processes. Much of this regulation is a factor of historical and portfolio ownership within the Commonwealth, as well as the perceived community profile with airports. In this context, sensible initiatives to reduce the regulatory burden should be taken into consideration and the AAA has made a number of key recommendations in response to the discussion paper.