Inquiry Finds Brisbane Airport Noise Complaints from Residents Are Unfounded, Pilots Say
The Airport’s increased air traffic has been a topic of controversy, with some believing it has become a significant source of noise pollution and has put people’s health at risk.
A Senate inquiry investigating noise complaints against Brisbane Airport has received submissions from a pilots association, accusing the airport of catering to a “small but vocal segment” with vested interests.
The Australian Airline Pilots’ Association (AusALPA), representing 7,100 pilots, stated in their submission that individuals who were mistakenly influenced by the decrease in aviation activity during the COVID-19 pandemic were now making unfounded claims that increased air traffic was impacting property values.
In 2020, Brisbane Airport completed construction of a second runway, enhancing its capacity to handle a variety of aircraft, including large international jets. Equipped with modern navigation and lighting systems, the new runway runs parallel to the existing main runway.
The construction of the new runway involved various tasks such as land clearing, taxiway construction, and installing navigational aids. Extensive consultations with the local community and stakeholders were also conducted to minimize the new runway’s impact on the surroundings.
Despite the recommendations from Airservices Australia to mitigate noise, some residents remain concerned about the noise pollution caused by the increased air traffic, leading to health risks and affecting property values.
The Brisbane Flight Path Community Alliance (BFPCA): People Before Planes, a prominent opposition group, played a key role in prompting the Senate inquiry.
The group criticized the lack of community engagement from Airservices Australia and Brisbane Airport Corporation, along with the absence of regulatory controls on aircraft noise.
They encouraged supporters to submit their concerns about the impacts of plane noise on sleep, concentration, mental health, and overall quality of life.
Another group, Brisbane Flight Path Community Alliance, proposed implementing a nighttime curfew on arrivals, citing the successful example of Sydney Airport.
