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Hotel Apron South

Major Development Plan | Hotel Apron South

The Preliminary Draft Hotel Apron South Major Development Plan (MDP) outlines proposed changes to Melbourne Airport’s airfield to create more aircraft parking and support future growth. 

Why it matters 

As Melbourne Airport continues to grow, our existing aircraft parking areas are becoming busier, particularly during peak travel periods and overnight. Without additional parking capacity, there is a greater risk of congestion, delays and less efficient aircraft movements around the airport. 

What we’re proposing 

The proposed works include: 

  • building a new aircraft parking area 

  • reconstructing and renaming Taxiway Sierra 

  • creating additional areas for ground support equipment and aircraft bussing operations. 

These improvements will: 

  • provide more space for aircraft parking 

  • reduce congestion around the airfield 

  • support the safe and efficient operation of the airport. 

View Major Development Plan

Make a submission

Frequently asked questions

An aircraft apron is the paved area of an airport where aircraft are parked for boarding and disembarking passengers, loading and unloading cargo, refueling, maintenance, and other ground servicing activities.  

It is separate from the runway and taxiways and is designed to support the safe and efficient movement and parking of aircraft while they are on the ground. 

Additional aircraft parking provides great flexibility for aircraft on the ground, reduces operational congestion and supports safe and efficient airport operations during peak periods. 

Improved apron layouts can reduce taxiing distances, minimise delays for aircraft waiting for parking positions, and improve the coordination of ground handling activities, resulting in more efficient operations. 

Taxiway Sierra has reached the end of its operational life and needs to be rebuilt. As part of the project, the taxiway will be raised to align with the new aircraft parking area and renamed Taxiway Papa because it will connect directly to the new Papa Apron. 

Under the Airports Act 1996, certain airport developments must be assessed through a Major Development Plan (MDP) process before they can proceed. 

The proposed works are classified as a major airport development because they involve constructing a new aircraft parking area in an area defined as environmentally significant in Melbourne Airport’s Master Plan 2022 and may have environmental impacts. 

As a result, Melbourne Airport is required to prepare an MDP for consideration by the Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government. 

To make a submission on the Preliminary Draft Hotel Apron South Major Development Plan, click on the "Make a submission" button on this page. This will take you to a form where you prepare and send a submission.

You can also mail submissions to:

Head of Planning
Melbourne Airport
Locked Bag 16
TULLAMARINE VIC 3043

The public submission period open on 5 August 2026 and will remain open until 11:59pm Friday 28 August. During this time, anyone can review the Major Development Plan and provide feedback for consideration. 

After the Public Exhibition period from 5 August - 28 August 2026, the draft Major Development Plan will be submitted to the Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government for approval.

In accordance with the Airports Act 1996, the following will be submitted to the Federal Minister: 

  • The draft Major Development Plan 

  • Copies of all submissions received during the consultation period

  • A Supplementary Report detailing a summary of issues raised, responses to submissions, any amendments made to the Major Development Plan, and evidence that the consultation requirements under Section 92 of the Airports Act have been satisfied, including copies of published notices. 

The Preliminary Draft Hotel Apron South Major Development Plan (MDP) is available below.

Make a submission

Use the online form below to make a submission on the Preliminary Draft Hotel Apron South Major Development Plan.

If you would like to make a submission in your own language, or need help making a submission, email: hotelapronsouthmdp@melair.com.au

Your information

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Conditions about your information
By submitting the information contained in this form, you acknowledge and agree that Australia Pacific Airports (Melbourne) Pty Ltd (APAM) may collect, use, and disclose the information, including any personal information, for the purposes of assessing, developing, obtaining approval for, implementing, or managing Master Plans, Major Development Plans, the Noise Sharing and Airspace Concept Plan or any other similar documents (collectively, the Documents). This may include:
(a) assessing and responding to your submission;
(b) disclosing the information to the Commonwealth Government, regulatory bodies, or other government agencies;
(c) disclosing the information to APAM’s employees, contractors, related bodies corporate, and external advisers who assist in the preparation, implementation, or management of the Documents; and
(d) otherwise using, disclosing, and handling your personal information in accordance with APAM’s Privacy Policy, available at: https://www.melbourneairport.com.au/privacy-policy.
Once the public exhibition period closes on 25 August 2026, the team will review all submissions and consider all feedback. Submissions may be reviewed and summarised using artificial intelligence (AI) tools with enterprise-grade data protection measures in place. These tools are used solely to assist APAM in efficiently analysing and responding to feedback. Any personal information processed by AI tools will be handled securely and in accordance with APAM’s Privacy Policy and applicable privacy laws.
If you have questions about the airport’s privacy policy or your submission being reviewed by artificial intelligence (AI), please contact hotelapronsouthmdp@melair.com.au

Your submission

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Alternative ways to make a submission

Submit via email

You can email your submission directly to hotelapronsouthmdp@melair.com.au.

Submit via post

If you would prefer to make your submission by post, please address your submission to:

Head of Planning
Locked Bag 16
TULLAMARINE VIC 3043

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