Flight noise recommendations unlikely to provide relief until 2025

A final report on Brisbane’s aircraft noise problem has recommended more flight paths be created to share the misery.

An independent review of Brisbane Airport flight paths has recommended the creation of “respite routes” to give relief to those suburbs currently exposed to excessive aircraft noise.

The final Trax International report made four recommendations in total to address widespread anger and frustration at increased aircraft noise following the opening of the airport’s parallel runway in July 2020.

Much of the noise has been concentrated over the “blue chip suburbs” of Ascot, Hamilton, New Farm, Teneriffe, Bulimba and Hawthorn, which had previously been spared significant exposure to overhead aircraft.

The 71-page Trax report commissioned by Airservices Australia, found firstly a long term noise action plan was needed, supported by “strong, transparent and representative governance”.

The air traffic control tower overlooking the domestic terminal at Brisbane Airport. Picture: Tara Croser

Secondly, the Trax report recommended maximising flights over water away from residential areas, and thirdly, reducing the concentration and frequency of aircraft movement over communities.

The report also called for a more expansive set of options for flight paths, including multiple routes for planned respite. It noted the recommendation would take until 2025 to implement due to limitations of the air traffic control IT system, which was unable to handle multiple alternating arrival routes.

It also warned that the “total population overflown” would increase as a result of this action that would effectively share the grief of flight noise.

Airservices Australia chief executive Jason Harfield said they were committed to considering all opportunities for improved noise outcomes for the Brisbane community and to progressing those options assessed as “safe and feasible”.

“We look forward to consulting further with the community and industry over the coming months,” said Mr Harfield.

Brisbane Flight Path Community Alliance chair Marcus Foth said the report was welcome, and highlighted that Airservices had “not been doing its homework” on flight paths.

“At Senate estimates hearings, Airservices has called flight path design their ‘bread and butter’, but this report shows they’re not up to the task,” Mr Foth said.

“I think it’s time to call a Royal Commission into the aviation industry, with Qantas struggling and Airservices decimating communities with flight noise pollution.”

He said it would concern residents that the recommendations most likely to bring relief from aircraft noise would not be implemented till 2025.

Mr Foth was also disappointed that the terms of reference for the report did not allow Trax International to consider measures such as an airport curfew or an aircraft noise levy.

“It’s already been shown that the community places a high priority on this issue, we saw that at the last election in (the inner city seats of) Brisbane, Ryan and Griffith with the election of Greens candidates,” he said.

“More direct action is on the cards because the prospect of three more years of noise pollution is not going to be palatable to residents.”

Brisbane Airport Corporation CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff said they were eager to see the number of flights arriving and departing over Moreton Bay increase.

To that end, BAC was supporting a push by Airservices to increase the tailwind landing limit for incoming aircraft from 5 to 7 knots, to allow more flights to come in over the bay.

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority rejected a previous application to increase the limit to 10 knots and was yet to respond to the latest request.

The 7100-member Australian Airline Pilots Association has opposed the application, warning an increase to the tailwind landing limit would reduce safety.