Senate report lists 21 changes to tackle Brisbane Airport plane noise
A Senate report into aircraft noise at Brisbane Airport has called for 21 changes including stripping a federal authority of powers to handle complaints.
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A Senate report into aircraft noise at the nation’s major airports, including Brisbane, has called for 21 changes including stripping a federal authority of its powers to handle public complaints.
Air traffic control body Airservices Australia should also have to meet “reasonable’’ time frames to respond to new flight paths and publicly explain any delays.
The report, which came after a huge backlash following the second Brisbane runway opening in 2020, called for plane altitude to be a priority.
Aircraft should be made to descend and takeoff continuously to cut noise from revving engines and ensure they flew higher for longer.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority must also urgently investigate higher tailwind takeoff speeds which could result in more planes flying over Moreton Bay.
A flight mode called SODPROPS, where planes took off and landed simultaneously from the two Brisbane runways in opposite directions, should be prioritised to cut noise levels.
And airports should be judged on their performance against transparent “noise envelope’’ guidelines.
The hugely detailed report, tabled on November 27, called for an easy-to-understand yet detailed public website to act as a “single source of truth’’, with tech experts to be made available to the public to help them understand complex data and reports.
The Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee, chaired by Queensland Senator Matt Canavan, said any impacts from significant changes to flight paths should be referred to the independent Aircraft Noise Ombudsman.
Although Sydney and Melbourne airports were also covered by the report, recommendation six specifically related to Brisbane.
If adopted, it would mean the 1.55am Emirates flight, which used an A380 jet, would not be allowed as the A380 did not meet night-time noise guidelines.
Airservices declined to comment.
A Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) spokesman said they welcomed the committee’s report.
“We look forward to working through the relevant recommendations with government,” he said.
Residents’ action group Brisbane Flight Path Community Alliance said the report highlighted the “depth of the problem’’ and “again proves what BFPCA and many other communities across the country have told our elected representatives about the underlying causes of aircraft noise pollution”.
But spokesman Marcus Foth described the recommendations as “half measured at best”.
“Because the Senate inquiry committee has not recommended a curfew, flight cap and long-term operating plan for Brisbane Airport, ultimately the noise pollution will continue unabated,’’ Professor Foth said.
“Communities want justice for the industry’s and government’s systemic wrong-doings over many years.
“It’s time for our elected representatives to have the courage to make the call to end the aviation industry’s state capture and protect communities from noise pollution using the same instruments that are already in place in Sydney, Adelaide, at the Gold Coast and many other cities overseas.”
“BFPCA’s only remaining avenue to be heard and to achieve the demands that communities deserve fair and square is to protest. And that is what we will do.”
After numerous complaints about the confusing, highly detailed information released in the past four years by Airservices and BAC, the committee suggested the government look into overseas approaches to simplifying public information.
It should also look at alternative models for noise complaint handling services.
Brisbane residents have argued they were sent into a never-ending loop when lodging complaints after being referred from Airservices to BAC and then back to Airservices.
They said the extent of the noise problem had been minimised because multiple noise complaints from the same person were treated as a single complaint.
“A replacement service should aim to provide a more effective service for community members and allow Airservices to concentrate on its core functions,’’ the committee said.
“The government should consult with affected communities about what alternative body should handle complaints and what oversight should be provided to the complaints
handling service.’’
Another major recommendation was that the government amend the Airports Act 1996 to require airport masterplans to address compensation for residents affected by noise.
The committee said a key focus should be on aircraft altitude to minimise impacts on people and natural areas such as national parks.
“Government should conduct an expert review to establish what altitudes should be set for Australian conditions,’’ it recommended.
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