A Federal Government established forum that aims to help Brisbane residents affected by aircraft noise has secured commitments to address a number of issues identified by the local community, and released its first progress report.
Following extensive community consultation, the Brisbane Airport Post Implementation Review Advisory Forum (the Forum) has released its first quarterly progress report.
The Forum has secured undertakings from Airservices Australia and Brisbane Airport Corporation for a number of measures to be introduced or trialed in the short-term, which aim to reduce noise impacts on the community.
The Federal Government established the independent Forum in September 2021, to operate separately to the Post Implementation Review (PIR) being undertaken by Airservices Australia into the operations of the second runway at Brisbane Airport.
The Forum’s measures to be introduced or trialed in the short-term include:
- Extending simultaneous opposite direction parallel runway operations (SODPROPS) active operating hours by two hours to 8am on weekends, allowing more flights over Moreton Bay
- Removing intersection departures for aircraft departing on the new parallel runway towards residential communities, allowing aircraft to fly at a higher altitude on departure
- A noise abatement procedure that requires jet aircraft to remain on an agreed flight path until they reach 10,000 feet, minimising noise for communities not expecting planes overhead
Additionally, leading airspace and air traffic management consultancy, Trax International, has been appointed to review and make recommendations on all aspects of Airservices Australia’s PIR.
A number of longer term options to improve noise outcomes, including reviewing flight paths and compass runway operations, will continue to be examined through the PIR process.
Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister, Barnaby Joyce, has welcomed the recommendations.
“The Government acted decisively to ensure community concerns over aircraft noise issues since the new runway opened at Brisbane Airport are heard loud and clear,” Mr Joyce said.
“The Forum has undertaken extensive consultation with those impacted and we are very pleased with the progress made to date and the recommendations put forward.
“Importantly, Airservices Australia and Brisbane Airport Corporation have agreed to three measures which could be implemented in the first half of this year. These actions could provide the noise relief locals need.
“The Government recognises the ongoing impact on local communities and living standards and we are committed to balancing the needs of the aviation industry with the concerns of local residents.”
Federal Member for Brisbane, Trevor Evans, said the Forum’s report vindicates many of the concerns that have been raised by Brisbane residents about aircraft noise.
“Importantly, the forum has identified both immediate and long-term changes that will mitigate unnecessary and unreasonable aircraft noise, and I look forward to those measures being implemented as quickly as possible,” Mr Evans said.
“The Forum’s recommendations to review flight paths and compass runway operations are a significant breakthrough for the Brisbane community.
“I’m pleased that Brisbane residents’ voices in suburbs like Hendra, Hamilton and New Farm are being heard and have led to these strong recommendations.”
The Federal Government has thanked the Forum for its ongoing work and looks forward to receiving future progress reports.
The Forum’s first quarterly progress report is available here.
