Parafield Airport draft master plan 2024 forecasts 70,000 flights by 2043, thousands more homes hit by aircraft noise

Daily noise from Parafield Airport will spread to thousands more homes over the next 20 years, a draft plan says. See if your home falls within the new boundaries.

Parafield Airport will see 70,000 more flight movements by 2043, a rise of 27 per cent in pre-Covid terms, and is forecasting thousands more homes to be affected by aircraft noise over the next 20 years.

In its draft master plan for 2024 – which outlines its plans and forecasts over the next eight and 20 years – it predicts aircraft movements to rise from 269,500 to 342,000 by 2043.

Under the “high” forecast, that number could hit nearly 400,000 a year. The draft plan indicates the airport’s capacity is 450,000.

However, under post-Covid figures - during which flights dropped dramatically - flights will increase be even more. It’s a rise of 54 per cent, and more than 120,000 extra flights.

The 433ha airport in Adelaide’s north – which is largely a pilot-training centre – has long battled complaints from nearby residents about aircraft noise and flight paths over homes.

Now maps in the master plan show that by 2043, hundreds more homes around the airport are forecast to fall within the airport’s “acceptable” noise-level boundaries, which will expand over the next two decades.

But it says that’s down to more accurate modelling, not more flights.

Noise from the airport will spread by 2043 to include homes within the dotted boundary.

Homes inside the green boundary will experience an average of 100 daily noise events above 60dBA by 2043. A passing car is about 70.

Parafield Airport, as seen from the air.

“The noise footprint expands slightly in all directions,” the draft plan says. “The changes … are not the result of any significant change in the way aircraft will operate at Parafield.

“Rather, it is a results of more accurate modelling of current and future aircraft movements using improved data.”

The master plan forecasts hundreds of extra homes – including those in Mawson Lakes, Pooraka, Braham Lodge, Greenfields and Parafield Gardens – will experience an average of 100 daily noise events above 60dBA “caused by overflying aircraft”. A passing car is about 70.

The master plan also predicts even louder aircraft noise for more surrounding light industrial businesses by 2043, and part of Mawson Lakes Golf Course, but says those levels are still “conditionally acceptable” under Australian Standards.

Parts of Main North Rd, petrol stations, car wreckers and even its own District Outlet Centre will all be hit with more noise.

Parafield Airport executive general manager Tom Ganley said Parafield Airport’s proximity to surrounding suburbs meant careful planning and consultation was required to balance operational requirements with the community’s needs.

“The airport will continue to grow and we acknowledge that there will be an increase in the number of aircraft movements at Parafield Airport, which will create more noise. However, we will do whatever we can within reason to monitor and minimise these impacts,” Mr Ganley said.

“We will continue to look at ways to minimise the impact of aircraft noise on local

communities by working with the training schools, Airservices Australia and local councils,

while always having regard to the safety of flying operations.”

No flight path changes are planned, the draft report says.

Empty land surrounding the airport will be filled by expanding retail sites or new sites, the report forecasts.

“Availability of large vacant landbanks at Parafield Airport, as well as the airport’s geographical location and connectivity to major infrastructure, provide an opportunity to meet growing demand for industrial and commercial land,” it said.

It also said the ‘Enterprise Precinct’ – a narrow, empty section of about 350,000sq m of land – could be turned into an industrial park.

Airport management is working with several third parties on a variety of development options, the draft master plan said.

It anticipates “two large industrial developments could occur in the next eight years”.

It says it achieved a reduction of 40 per cent in carbon emissions in 2022.

The plan says the airport employs about 1300 people, and about another 1300 through “induced” jobs – a total it claims will rise to more than 6000 by 2043.

“Since 2016, total employment (direct and indirect) as a result of airport activities has

increased by 5 per cent to 2570 jobs. By 2043 it is forecast to reach 6878 jobs,” Parafield Airport Executive General Manager, Tom Ganley said.

While the airport currently services no electric or hybrid aircraft, it forecasts about 17 per cent of its movements will be electric by 2031 – and a potential for 70 per cent by 2043.

It predicts a need for sites for vertical takeoff and landing aircraft – piloted or autonomous drones – which could be private air vehicles, air taxi, freight or health transportation of goods and/or people.

No runway expansions are forecast, only maintenance and sealing, but extension of taxiways are predicted – and as well as a new one – and potential relocation of the helipad.

The Parafield Airport Preliminary Draft Master Plan 2024 is on public exhibition until April 4 and submissions can be made to [e-mail].