ASA flight path changes at Brisbane Airport to help three suburbs, others to get more noise

Proposed new flight paths have been labelled a “sham” by a community group with claims they will only benefit three suburbs. SEE THE CHANGES

People in Redland, Bribie Island and Samford who have been hit hard by plane noise from Brisbane Airport face welcome relief under proposed new flight paths, aviation authorities say.

Noisy turboprops also would be made to take new routes over Moreton Bay and some aircraft would have to fly higher for longer before their final descent.

But a community aircraft noise group has labelled the changes a “sham’’ which would increase noise in more than 220 suburbs, not reduce it.

The changes announced by Airservices Australia will spread noise across more areas and shift planes further north or west to less populated areas.

Public consultation on the raft of changes has opened, ending on August 17, as part of Airservices Australia’s Noise Action Plan For Brisbane.

New routes have been proposed for arrivals and departures over the north and west, the south and east, plus new night-time departure routes over land from the second runway and arrivals over the Bay from the north and east.

FULL LIST OF CHANGES, MAPS

Ribbon cutting at the opening of Brisbane’s second runway in 2020. Noise complaints have soared since it opened. Picture: Matt Williams

The changes included:

• Departures over land to the north and west from the new runway would shift east of Samford Valley and further north of Chapel Hill and Ferny Grove, from 6am-10pm, when the wind was blowing from the south.

• Arrivals over land to the new runway from the north and west, when winds were from the north, from 6am-10pm, would be spread over a wider area and altitudes would be higher.

• Departures over land from the old runway to the southeast and east, when the wind is southerly, would be spread out over a wider area.

• Arrivals over water to the old runway from the south and east, when there were southerlies blowing from 6am-10pm, would be adjusted to reduce flights over Redlands. But more flights would go over northern Stradbroke Island.

• Arrivals over land to both runways in the day, when northerlies were blowing, would shift south and west, to the Goodna and Greenbank areas.

• Arrivals over water to the new runway from the north and west, during the day when southerlies were blowing, would be further away from Redcliffe and southern Bribie Island.

• Departures over land at night, when southerlies were blowing, currently used the old runway. It was proposed to trial flights from the new runway, with planes turning tight left to overfly industrial and airport land, during planned maintenance at the old runway in mid-2026.

Marcus Foth says the changes simply spread noise over a wider area. Picture: Tara Croser

Residents’ action group, Brisbane Flight Path Community Alliance, claimed the new flight paths would increase noise exposure in more than 220 suburbs.

BFPCA chair Professor Marcus Foth said Airservices Australia was using “noise sharing’’ to justify continual expansion while offering no curfew, flight caps or long-term operating plan.

He said the reality was a “redistribution strategy masquerading as relief’’, with suburbs across the inner city, outer west, Logan, Redland and the Bayside continuing to shoulder the burden.

“This is not noise reduction. It’s noise redistribution and the cost is being paid by families and communities across more than 220 Brisbane suburbs,” he said.

“Airservices calls this consultation but it’s really just engagement theatre, a way to wear us down and keep us quiet while they push through whatever the industry wants.

“The flight path redesign has never been about protecting the public, it has always been about enabling 24/7 airport growth.”

Airservices Australia, the federal air navigation service provider, has conducted multiple reviews of the airport’s new flight paths since April, 2023.

The latest changes were open for feedback online, in writing and at 10 community engagement sessions in the CBD, Wynnum and Bulimba.

“Airservices is eager to speak to as many people as possible on these flight path options,” Head of Community Engagement Donna Marshall said.

“Community feedback has already helped shape a number of preferred options.

“We are listening to residents who’ve consistently called for fairer distribution of aircraft noise and we’re dedicated to incorporating community feedback into our final planning.”

Brisbane Airport welcomed the announcement.

“While flight path design and Air Traffic Control are managed by Airservices Australia,

Brisbane Airport fully supports initiatives that help reduce the impact of aviation on surrounding communities,’’ spokesman Peter Doherty said.

“We believe a balanced approach is essential with collaboration between Brisbane Airport, Airservices Australia, CASA, airlines and pilots.

“Together, we are committed to exploring and implementing practical solutions that improve outcomes for residents while maintaining safe air travel for 24 million passengers each year.

“Airlines are also contributing through fleet upgrades, progressively introducing quieter, more fuel-efficient modern aircraft.

“We’re also excited about the work Stralis is doing here at Brisbane Airport with cutting edge research into hydrogen-electric propulsion technology, which has the potential to reshape the future of clean and quiet aviation.”

Originally published as ASA flight path changes at Brisbane Airport to help three suburbs, others to get more noise