Aircraft Noise Ombudsman savages handling of flight path changes

UPDATE: AIRSERVICES Australia says it accepts the recommendations made in a scathing report about the introduction of new flight paths for Hobart Airport.

Changes to flights paths into and out of Hobart Airport sparked a surge in complaints to the Aircraft Noise Ombudsman.

UPDATE: AIRSERVICES Australia says it accepts the recommendations made by the Aircraft Noise Ombudsman in a report about the introduction of new flight paths for Hobart Airport.

Ombudsman Narelle Bell’s report contained a scathing assessment of Airservice Australia’s performance saying there had been no consultation with residents.

The report contained 13 recomendations.

An Airservices Australia spokeswoman said it had acknowledged that it failed to adequately inform and engage with residents.

“Looking ahead, Airservices is committed to working with the affected communities, undertaking open and transparent consultation regarding proposed flight path changes to rebuild goodwill and trust with local residents,” she said.

As recommended by the Ombudsman, Airservices Australia is engaging external expertise to guide and develop community consultation into the future.

“Airservices is confident that actions already underway have satisfactorily addressed the ANO’s recommendations,” the spokeswoman said.

“In particular, a review of our environmental assessment criteria is progressing.”

The spokeswoman said community community consultation with residents is scheduled to start in late May or early June.

EARLIER: THE Aircraft Noise Ombudsman has suggested that Airservices Australia hire an expert in community consultation in a damning assessment of its handling of flight path changes near Hobart.

The ANO report, by Narelle Bell, came after complaints about aircraft noise – from as far south as Dunalley – surged after the route changes were implemented in September.

‘The usually dormant Hobart aircraft noise landscape quickly became active with some 50 complaints being made in the six weeks following the implementation of changed flight paths,” Ms Bell said.

“Compared with three the previous year, this was a very significant expression of community concern.”

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The ANO said the changes, aimed at keeping air traffic safely separated, had resulted in the transfer of aircraft noise from one segment of the community to another.

The report reveals that residents in the Connelly’s Marsh area had 30 aircraft a day overhead.

There had been no consultation with the community before the changes, she said.

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But Ms Bell said the situation worsened when Airservices Australia attempted to engage with residents.

“The complaints reflected the community’s concerns about quality and effectiveness of community consultation, the quality of information provided to the public, the handling of their complaints and action taken in response to community concerns,” she said.

Included in criticism was the short warning of a meeting and a venue that was too small.

In her report Ms Bell made 13 recommendations including that Airservices Australia access expertise in the “practice of community consultation”.

She said Airservices Australia should consider potential noise impacts from the commencement of flight path design and integrate throughout the design process.

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Airservices Australia responded to feedback with a short-term change to flight paths, which came into effect on March 1.

“This new flight path will provide an improved noise outcome for some areas that are currently affected by aircraft noise,” Airservices Australia says.

The organisation is also undertaking a 12-18 month Hobart airspace design review.

“Airservices is committed to consulting with the community and other stakeholders throughout the review process,” it said.

Airservices Australia’s lack of consultation prompted Liberal Senator Jonathon Duniam to call for them to come to Hobart and genuinely consult with affected residents.