Aircraft Noise
Planes are very noisy – on takeoff, on landing and also when flying over people’s homes.
Increasingly, some airports are operating 24 hours a day 7 days a week. For example, Brisbane Airport operates 24/7 and the new second airport for Sydney is legislated to also operate 24/7.
Understandably people living near airports and people living under flight paths are very upset about the noise and the adverse impact on their quality of life and health. This issue is very topical because the Australian Senate is currently holding a Senate Inquiry on:
“The impact and mitigation of aircraft noise on residents and business in capital cities and regional towns, with particular reference to:
(a) the effect of aircraft noise on amenity, physical and mental wellbeing and everyday life of residents;
(b) the effect of aircraft noise on small business;
(c) any proposals for the mitigation and limitation of aircraft noise, including flight curfews, changes to flight paths and alternatives to air travel;
(d) any barriers to the mitigation and limitation of aircraft noise; and
(e) any other related matters.”
The Senate Inquiry is due to report by 8 October 2024.
The Senate allowed public submissions which have just closed. There were over 200 submissions. As expected most of the submissions from the general public were complaints requesting that night curfews for Brisbane and Western Sydney airports be introduced. Submissions from airports, airlines and industries dependent on aviation supported the number of flights and 24/7 operations.
Noizend lodged a submission being number 33 which can be found at https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Rural_and_Regional_Affairs_and_Transport/AircraftNoise/Submissions