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The federal government is establishing a permanent residents’ forum on Brisbane Airport noise, as it promised before last year’s federal election.
The ‘Brisbane Airport Community Airspace Advisory Board’ will be chaired by inaugural Australian Aircraft Noise Ombudsman Ron Brent, and will comprise five community representatives serving two-year terms.
According to Transport Minister Catherine King, the board will be supported by industry advisors, including airlines, Brisbane Airport, and Airservices Australia, as well as the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts.
Noise issues have been a flashpoint at Brisbane Airport since the completion of its new parallel runway in July 2020, which allowed more flight paths to open up, but affected nearby communities in the process.
There were various calls – including from the Greens – for caps and curfews, though owners Brisbane Airport Corporation pointed to a potential $1 billion annual cost to the city’s economy. Others, including BAC, supported more flights being routed over Moreton Bay.
Despite safety concerns from pilots around tailwinds on the water, this was eventually determined to be the most viable solution.
“Establishing this forum for the community to have a voice about the impact of aircraft noise delivers on our election commitment and is part of the positive change people voted for,” said King.
“It is only sensible and fair to give the people of Brisbane the opportunity to be heard and contribute to the management of aircraft noise.”
The final report of Airservices Australia’s Brisbane Flight Path Review in December last year recommended an increase in flights over water as opposed to over nearby suburbs; a reduction in the frequency and concentration of flights over affected communities; a plan to optimise the whole of the Brisbane airspace system; and a focus on improved governance.
Speaking in December, Brisbane Airport Corporation’s head of public affairs, Stephen Beckett, said the report contained “a large number of meaningful changes” that could reduce flight path impacts.
“BAC recognises the benefits of Brisbane Airport are shared across Queensland, but the impact of our operations is felt by some residents in Brisbane suburbs.
“We look forward to working collaboratively with Airservices Australia, the community and our industry partners to achieve sustainable long-term solutions,” he said.
The new Board’s first area of focus will be to implement the airspace improvement and noise abatement procedures outlined in the Brisbane Airport Noise Action Plan.
