Brisbane aircraft noise to be reviewed while travel still down
A major review will consider complaints that Brisbane Airport’s new runway has brought more noise to some communities, even with fewer planes in the sky.
Brisbane Airport's new runway opened in mid-July. Its impact on the community is now set to be reviewed. (AAP Image/Dan Peled)
Airservices Australia will re-examine the activity forecast for the new runway, and what has happened since it opened last year, as part of a post-implementation review.
It is already reconsidering aircraft movements over Samford, Upper Brookfield, New Farm, Bulimba and Balmoral.
One federal bureaucrat suggested the review was an opportunity to “tweak” arrangements, and Brisbane Airport Corporation has already asked the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to allow planes to arrive and depart with more tailwind. That was flagged in planning for the new runway, and would allow greater flexibility, as would other proposals including different flight paths.
The review comes as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to frustrate the tourism sector’s bid to keep state borders open, and create travel bubbles with other countries, ahead of the world opening up again.
Brisbane Airport saw just over eight million passengers last year, which was a 26-year low, down 66 per cent on 2019.
Airservices Australia will release the terms of reference for its review within weeks, inviting public submissions to add commentary to the activity data it routinely collects.
