Essendon Airport environmental regulations under review as 2026 sunset approaches

The environmental regulations that govern Essendon Airport are facing a scheduled sunset on 1 April 2026, prompting the Australian Department of Infrastructure to review and consult on proposed amendments to the framework that has been in place for nearly three decades.

Essendon Airport, located on Commonwealth land, has operated under the Airports Act 1996 and the Airports (Environment Protection) Regulations 1997 since they came into effect. These regulations establish the rules for air, soil, water, noise and chemical pollution at the site. Airport operators are required under Clause 4.04 of the regulations to ensure no adverse consequences for threatened species or ecological communities listed under the EPBC Act 1999.

What the review means for Essendon residents

For residents living near the airport, the federal review will determine how noise, emissions and other environmental impacts are managed going forward. The current Airport Master Plan for Essendon was approved on 23 April 2014, and includes an Airport Environmental Strategy that operators must maintain. Any changes to the regulations could affect how that strategy is updated and enforced over the coming years.

While Essendon Airport is primarily subject to Commonwealth law, it must also comply with relevant Victorian state policies. Those include the State Environment Protection Policy (Control of Noise) and state regulations on industrial waste and land contamination. This dual layer of regulation means the outcome of the federal review could interact with existing state frameworks that already apply to the local area.

Community oversight and the path forward

The review comes at a time when airport environmental management is receiving increased attention nationally. The Australian Department of Infrastructure is currently consulting on proposed amendments to the 1997 regulations, though the details of those proposals have not yet been finalised. The consultation process gives local residents and community groups an opportunity to provide input on how the rules should be updated.

Under the existing framework, operators have a general duty to avoid harm to listed threatened species and ecological communities. Any changes to this requirement could have implications for the local environment surrounding the airport. With the sunset date now less than nine months away, the community is expected to have a clearer picture of the regulatory landscape once the department releases its proposed amendments.