Ranked: Where the major parties stand on Brisbane’s flight paths

Residents fighting Brisbane’s new flight paths have released their “scorecard’’ for the three major parties. Here’s how they rank on eight demands, including an airport curfew and flight caps.

Residents who have fought Brisbane’s controversial new flight paths since the second runway opened in 2020 have released a political scorecard ranking the commitments of the three major parties.

Aircraft noise is shaping up as a key issue in at least two seats in next month’s election — Brisbane, held by the LNP’s Trevor Evans, and Griffith, held by Labor’s Terri Butler.

Brisbane Flight Paths Community Alliance (BFPCA) chair David Diamond said the scorecard was not an attempt to persuade people to vote in a certain way, but was instead aimed at informing their vote.

“We’re hoping this will give people the information they need to come to a view,’’ Mr Diamond said.

“A scorecard cannot of course distinguish the ability of a party to deliver on their promises, but it does give a clear idea of their policies.

“We want to be clear that this is not about stopping aviation. We want Brisbane Airport to be vibrant.

“We have put together these eight points that work together to protect the community, while growing the airport.’’

BFPCA submitted the eight demands to the ALP, LNP and Greens last month.

They cover everything from a curfew to a flight cap, long-term operating plan and permanent, fully-funded Brisbane Airport Community Forum.

The eight points also include a Ministerial Direction to Airservices Australia (ASA) to redesign the city’s airspace and flight paths, collection of noise levies from airlines to fund noise mitigation for affected households, and amendments to the Air Services Act to prevent “regulatory capture’’ of ASA.

The Greens is the only party to commit to all eight demands, however unless it holds the balance of power after the election it will not be able to deliver any of them.

The LNP, after a major policy shift earlier this month, has now committed to, or opened the door to, seven of the points including a long-term operating plan and independent (but not permanent) airspace review.

READ THE FULL LIST OF DEMANDS AND PARTY RESPONSES

It also announced flight paths would be changed to allow steeper descents and takeoffs, lowering noise levels, plus more flights over the Bay and more simultaneous takeoffs and departures in opposite directions.

However, Covid staff shortages have placed air traffic controllers under huge pressure so it is understood those changes are presently impossible to implement and could take many months, or even years, to take effect.

Labor agreed to an airspace review and a permanent community forum, but ruled out a curfew.

“For an alternative government, we were hoping for something more definitive (from Labor),’’ Mr Diamond said.

Gert-Jan de Graaff, CEO of Brisbane Airport Corporation, on the finished second runway. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/The Australian

A Labor spokeswoman said the party had a responsible policy to minimise flight noise for local communities in Brisbane and across Australia.

“The reality is that Brisbane Airport employs nearly 24,000 people and contributes more than $4 billion annually to the state’s economy,’’ she said.

“While the Greens Party make empty promises they know they will never have to deliver, Labor will do the hard work of resolving difficult issues.

“And it’s hard not to be cynical that the Morrison Government had years to plan for the new runway, but has only discovered noise is an issue 10 minutes before an election.

“Labor will commission a new white paper to take a detailed and coordinated look at our national aviation policy framework.

“It will address aircraft noise and airport planning, but also the future of general and training aviation and help set the sector up for a new era of competition and prosperity.

“Only an Albanese Labor Government is committed to working closely with communities to come.’’

Federal Labor transport spokeswoman Catherine King. Picture: Brendan Radke

Shadow Labor Transport Minister, Catherine King, said in a response to BFPCA that Labor did not support any changes which left residents “worse off’’.

“While Labor does not support the idea of a curfew for Brisbane Airport, we note the Brisbane Airport Post Implementation Review Advisory Forum (BAPAF) has reserved its position on the need for demand management measures until noise improvements achieved from immediate measures proposed by the Brisbane Airport Corporation, and the outcomes of changes committed to through the Airservices Post Implementation Review, can be assessed.’’

She said Labor was “open to considering other ideas to better manage aircraft noise’’.

It would also “seriously consider’’ the recommendations of consultants TRAX, which a fortnight ago released a report concluded that flight paths should be redesigned.

LNP candidates in affected Brisbane electorates wrote to BFPCA to confirm federal Transport Minister Barnaby Joyce had directed ASA to begin work on changes outlined by BAPAF, including steeper approaches and takeoffs.

Zoe Earl, with her children Sunny and Billy, at Colmslie Recreation Reserve. She says aircraft noise is an issue in the area. Picture: Josh Woning

“Redesign of the Brisbane airspace and flight paths is under way...,’’ they wrote.

The Government had set up an independent, fully funded community forum which, while not permanent, could be “extended for as long as required until this issue is resolved, possibly indefinitely’’.

“A curfew remains a live option in the long-term operating plan if other measures fail to deliver the necessary improvements,’’ they said.

“Movement caps remain a live option in the long-term operating plan if other measures fail to deliver the necessary improvements.

Greens leader Adam Bandt said his party not only supported all eight measures, they had tried to legislate the demands in Parliament.

“Recently I moved a private members Bill in federal Parliament to legislate a curfew, a cap on flights and long term operating plan for Brisbane Airport,’’ Mr Bandt said.

“Neither Labor nor the Liberals supported the Bill.

“I have also moved a Bill to reform Airservices Australia forcing it to take into account aircraft noise and the broader community.’’

He said Brisbane Airport Corporation’s air traffic forecasts showed future flight numbers were “completely unsustainable’’ in terms of air and noise pollution and carbon emissions.

He said as recently as 2018/19 the Australian Airports Association, the chief lobby group for airport corporations, paid $27,500 each to Labor and the LNP for “access meetings’’.

“No wonder the major parties are so reluctant to hold private airport corporations to account,’’ Mr Bandt said.