Question about Melbourne (Australia)

[34lurker]

Hi, I've been lurking here for a while, and have plucked up courage to ask my question. I often watch landings and take offs at Melbourne, and it seems that when landing on 16 there are often departures off 27 and they seem to get awfully close. I assume they are safely separated, but how do you controllers judge when they can go?

[Hotel Tango]

I'm not a Melbourne specialist but until one does answer for you I'd say that as soon as landing traffic crosses the intersection a 27 departure will be released subject to the distance of the next lander on 16. The distance in question may be a fixed one or it might possibly vary depending on the a/c types concerned.