Cairns Airport complaints: Aeroglen residents go to court over noise and air pollution

For years, residents of Aeroglen say they have been “bombarded” with air and noise pollution from the general aviation section of Cairns Airport. Now one of them is taking the fight to court.

AEROGLEN resident Gordon Sheard has taken Cairns Airport to court over “unbearable noise and air pollution” from the airport’s general aviation section.

For years, the Aeroglen Residents Committee has raised concerns with the airport on behalf of residents of the suburb, claiming residents are “bombarded” with air and noise pollution.

Now, Mr Sheard is seeking orders through the Planning and Envrionment Court that the airport ensure operations at the leased areas of general aviation and the Eastern Run-up Bay comply with state noise regulations.

He is also seeking restrictions on the use of aircraft’s auxiliary power units and the running of aircraft engines.

Aeroglen residents have gone to court over allegations of “unbearable” noise pollution from Cairns Airport.

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According to documents filed with the court, Mr Sheard claims the general aviation section of the airport “appears to be unregulated” and the airport “does not adequately enforce noise abatement processes”.

“Airport hangars at general aviation are located very close to the residential sites in Aeroglen, the closest residential dwelling is located only 200 metres from the airport.”

He also commissioned a noise assessment report to support his claims.

Aeroglen, as a residential area, long predates the construction of the Cairns Airport.

In Mr Sheard’s claim, he said Cairns Airport had been informed on “numerous occasions” of noise and pollution complaints.

“(The airport) has never in the last eight or so years taken appropriate or adequate action to address noise complaints raised by residents, which are frequent,” he wrote, adding that the airport did not hold a register of complaints and sought to invalidate complaints when they occurred.

Mr Sheard also claimed Cairns Regional Council had been asked to take action to “restrain” the activities at general aviation and “has refused to do so”.

Included in Mr Sheard’s application are a series of witness statements complaining of noise, odour and fumes, and sleep deprivation.

Cairns Airport was contacted for comment.

Originally published as Cairns Airport complaints: Aeroglen residents go to court over noise and air pollution