Airservices Australia seeks feedback on five Brisbane airport noise reduction options

Proposed changes aim for relief

The federal government's air traffic oversight body proposes switching runways and flying higher to ease impacts. Almost 500,000 Brisbane residents would experience a break from aircraft noise under these specific changes. This initiative follows a sharp rise in complaints after the second runway opened in 2020. Complaints jumped from 15 to 110 within the first month of that new runway's operation.

Consultation follows six years of reviews

Airservices Australia's noise action plan for Brisbane concludes with a final package containing five options. A consultancy named Trax International investigated seventeen concepts but deemed two unsuitable for further consideration. Previous findings in 2021 noted that Airservices Australia failed to engage effectively with affected communities. Measures since 2020 include increasing over-water operations and imposing night restrictions on the western runway.

Respite schedule depends on wind

Two options offer respite by using only one southern runway end outside peak periods. This arrangement applies during northerly wind conditions which occur around 37 per cent of the year. Donna Marshall from Airservices Australia stated residents aligned with either runway would get breaks from arrivals. The Brisbane Flight Path Community Alliance labels these proposals as a massive fail despite official praise.