By Mike O’Connor
The Senate inquiry into the impact and mitigation of aircraft noise initiated by the Greens is rumbling along in Canberra with more than 200 submissions received.
Predictable self-interest and blame shifting have featured heavily in the submissions lodged by the various bodies invested in the aviation industry and herewith a brief overview of some of the more relevant being considered.
The Australian Federation of Air Pilots has used the opportunity to attack Airservices which it describes as a “problem agency” which operates with too much autonomy from oversight and accountability.
The federation also plays the safety card claiming that noise abatement measures such as those employed at Sydney’s Kingsford-Smith airport can mean that runway choice is not always based upon the best or safest operational and prevailing weather conditions, saying noise-based choices for runway selection have impacts on the safety margins.
“The Government should develop policies to relieve Airservices of all aircraft noise related responsibilities and assign the responsibility to another agency, relieving the divided priorities of two inconsolable ends, noise and safety.
“Recommendations arising from this inquiry cannot be solely focused on aircraft noise alleviation ideas and must consider unintended consequences on safety and efficiency of air transport too,” it says.
It might be argued that noise and safety are not irreconcilable – both must be accommodated –and that scare tactics by pilots involving the constant claim that the safety of passengers is being threatened are as unhelpful as they are self-serving.
Airservices has been quick to pass the buck to the federal government, saying that it is not an environmental regulator.
“The protection of the environment sits with both the Minister for the Environment under the EPBC Act 1999, and the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government,” it says.
“Airservices designs flight paths to facilitate access to all airspace users. We design flight paths that optimise airport capacity and meet future airport requirements consistent with the objectives defined in the Air Services Act 1995 to foster and promote civil aviation,” it says.
Noise abatement? Nothing to do with us.
The Brisbane City Council, which is vehemently opposed to any talk of capped flights and curfews, being firmly in that camp which claims these would cause the sky to fall in and a great darkness to envelop the land, seems more concerned with those dreadful, trouble-making Greens than noise levels.
In its submission by deputy mayor Krista Adams, it manages to make a political statement while bemoaning the influence of politics, no easy achievement.
“It is of great concern that this matter has been highly politicised once again, particularly by the Greens in the lead up to the federal election and I urge the committee to carefully consider and have regard to this in their deliberations about the future of Brisbane Airport,” she wrote.
Qantas complains that attempts to abate noise levels result in inefficient flight paths that lead to “increased track miles, higher fuel burn and emissions.”
The pilots chant the safety mantra while sledging Airservices, Airservices flicks a pass to the federal government, the council blames the Greens and Qantas invokes the environment.
And the impact on the environment of those people affected by aircraft noise? Collateral damage to be endured in the name of Profit and Progress.
Our Voices, Our Skies, Our Fight
By Prof. Marcus Foth, BFPCA Chairperson
In a significant victory for our community, the advocacy of Brisbane Flight Path Community Alliance (BFPCA) has led to the sacking of the Airservices CEO. While this marks a critical milestone, the fight for our skies is far from over.
Airservices Australia continues to engage in what can only be described as “engagement theatre.” They have scheduled five new community sessions for June 2024 in Algester, Redland Bay, Morningside, Springfield, and Amity Point. These locations are all south of the river, leaving Village Voice readers in the inner northern suburbs, where aircraft noise pollution remains rampant, without any reprieve. During today’s Senate Estimates hearings (May 29), Airservices admitted that their so-called Noise Action Plan, more accurately dubbed the “Noise Inaction Plan,” will likely have no impact on reducing aircraft noise pollution for northern suburbs in the short term.
The frustration grows deeper when we consider that night flights by airlines such as Emirates, Qatar, and Cathay Pacific, which disturb families at all hours, are subsidised by the Queensland State Government. This same government, through the Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC), recently increased its ownership share in Brisbane Airport to 30%, making it the largest shareholder. Despite this, Premier Steven Miles MP dismisses our concerns, branding noise sufferers as “inner city elites.”
The Leader of the LNP and State Opposition, David Crisafulli MP, has also turned a blind eye. Despite receiving two invitations to be briefed on these critical issues by BFPCA last year, he continues to ignore us.As we approach the Queensland State Election on 26 Oct, it is imperative that we, as a community, continue to stand together and fight for our right to a peaceful living environment free of health harms. BFPCA is urging everyone to contribute to our fighting fund. Your donations will fuel our ongoing battle against the noise pollution that disrupts our lives every day and night. To support our cause, please donate at https://bfpca.org.au/donate