The 1.55am flight out of Brisbane set to change national noise rules

The 1.55am Emirates flight from Brisbane to Dubai is at the centre of a Senate committee bid to reduce aircraft noise in the suburbs.

After an eight-month inquiry, the Senate transport committee’s 229-page report on aircraft noise was tabled in parliament on Wednesday afternoon.

The committee made 21 recommendations, most for the federal government or Airservices Australia to consider, but with several specific to Brisbane and responding to concerns raised by local residents.

A Senate committee has singled out one flight departing Brisbane as reason for rule changes to reduce aircraft noise.Credit: Rob D Photography

Lingering calls for Brisbane Airport to be subject to a curfew have again been rejected, with the committee instead opting “to target the times of day and types of aircraft that cause the most distress for residents”.

“The committee acknowledges that adequate sleep is an important right, and believes it is reasonable to seek to reduce noise at night wherever possible,” the report states.

“Many other industries, such as construction and transport, face restrictions at night. In contrast, many Australian airports face no explicit restriction of noise at night. It would make sense to explore greater opportunities for reasonable restrictions that can balance the need for economic and social importance of an operating airport against the right of residents to enjoy a good night’s sleep.”

The committee recommended the government trial a requirement for aircraft operating in Brisbane at night to comply with stage five rules under the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s ‘Balanced Approach to Aircraft Noise Management’.

“Making these rules an explicit requirement is likely to require change to the normally scheduled 1.55am Emirates flight to (Dubai), which the committee was told accounts for a large proportion of the complaints at night around the Brisbane airport,” the report states.

The committee believes the planes currently used by Emirates for that flight would not meet the higher standards.

A spokesman for the Brisbane Airport Corporation said it “welcomes the committee’s report and looks forward to working through the relevant recommendations with government”.

The report reveals BAC put forward the proposed rule change, which the committee said was “likely to provide a substantial benefit to Brisbane residents” and should be considered for other Australian airports.

Emirates has been contacted for comment.

The committee also cited a need for better planning around airports, and for legislation to specifically address whether residents are entitled to compensation – including, potentially, in Brisbane.

“The committee encourages the government to consider declaring Brisbane Airport a leviable airport, given the amount of noise imposed on the surrounding community,” the report states.

“The committee acknowledges that this will likely result in airlines passing on costs to passengers. However, in the absence of a curfew or flight caps, levies would be an appropriate way to fund noise amelioration for the most affected areas.”

The government has three months to respond to the report from the committee, which is chaired by Queensland LNP Senator Matt Canavan. Given the timing, aircraft noise in Brisbane may again become a federal election issue.

The committee also recommended Airservices Australia look at “maximum possible use” of runway operations at Brisbane that put more flights over Moreton Bay, and other changes around continuous descent and continuous climb operations.

But Airservices Australia would be stripped of responsibility for dealing with noise complaints, under the recommendations, and the government urged to develop guidelines for airport “noise envelopes” to improve data collection and public reporting.

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