Managing noise impacts

The forum provides the opportunity for aviation industry stakeholders covering consultants, airports, airlines, the Department of Defence, the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development, the Aircraft Noise Ombudsman and Airservices to collaborate and develop future service delivery requirements relating to aircraft noise management.

Highlights of the forum included case study examples and overviews of some of the very innovative work that airports have undertaken to manage the potential impact of aircraft noise in their local communities. Perth Airport presented to the forum on the numerous community consultation actions it has undertaken through a partnership with Airservices.

Through this partnership Perth Airport has been able to introduce a number of initiatives to assistits community to understand and manage the impact of aircraft noise.

One initiative that was highlighted by Perth Airport was the interactive aircraft noise information portal that it developed as a resource for the community and key stakeholders to stay fully informed and aware of where aircraft fly and the associated noise impacts.

Sunshine Coast Airport also provided a presentation to the forum on the extensive community consultation program that the airport undertook as part of the Environmental Impact Statement process for its proposed runway extension. Sunshine Coast Airport focused on providing the community with key aircraft noise information from the outset, through the use of tools such as the Aircraft Noise Information Booklet.

It is tools like this that allow the airport to engage with members of their community regarding aircraft noise management challenges in a real and worthwhile manner.

A collective theme throughout the forum that was shared by each of the case studies was the importance of community consultation when it comes to aircraft noise management.

The value of thorough and meaningful community consultation cannot be understated as it allows members of the community to engage with the airport in a sensible manner. This trend was again emphasised via the presentations from Auckland Airport and Canada’s Calgary Airport which provided an international perspective on aircraft noise management and demonstrated that the Australian industry is not alone in its challenges in this space.

In an effort to improve communication and understanding of aircraft noise management the Aircraft Noise Ombudsman is working on an information handbook that once finalised will be a valuable resource to both the community and the aviation industry. The information handbook will describe and explain aircraft noise impacts while also explaining common phraseology and other aviation terms. This is in addition to work also being undertaken by the Aircraft Nosie Ombudsman relating to the review of AS2021-2000 acoustics – aircraft noise intrusion – building siting and construction, which provides a critical framework for managing land use and development outcomes in the vicinity of airports and requires review to bring it in line with current trends and developments.

Following this forum the AAA and Airservices will be investigating further collaboration and innovation in the aircraft noise management space. The forum committed to working together to develop a national noise strategy which will outline industry participants’ commitment to managing aircraft noise in the community.

The forum also determined that it was necessary to update thecurrent aircraftnoise. com. au website to provide an increased focus on regional and smaller airports throughout Australia. In addition it was determined that guidance material would be produced around community engagement strategies that are relevant and useful for both major and regional airports to assist them meet the needs of their communities. Finally the forum committed to cross-industry investigation of aircraft noise management opportunities and, where feasible the implementation of noise improvements.

The Aviation Industry Noise Forum offers a superb opportunity for industry stakeholders to meet and work together to better manage aircraft noise in an Australian setting. The forum provides valuable insight in noise management techniques and strategies that are being championed by airports and other aviation organisations across Australia and assists the collective industry to engage with the whole community more effectively.

The AAA and Airservices will continue to make this important forum available to industry to ensure that Australia is leading the world in aircraft noise management.