Furious Locals Slam Airport Flight Paths Amidst Noise Pollution Woes
Local Residents' Outrage Over Flight Path Map for Western Sydney Airport: "Flight routes passes over our home"
The latest flight plans for Western Sydney's new airport have left the community in a ruckus, with citizens voicing their worries over the anticipated noise pollution.
Transport Minister Catherine King announced the finalized flight routes as construction on the runway neared completion, with the airport expected to open in 2026.
Residents in the Blue Mountains and Wallacia regions have benefited from adjustments to the initial designs revealed in 2023 and 2024. Yet, many still remain incensed, claiming the changes don’t go far enough.
Ms. King stated that five changes were made to minimize aircraft noise following community consultations, with four of those focusing on night operations.
'I'll be issuing a ministerial direction to Airservices Australia to make reciprocal runway operations (RRO) the default operating mode at night, including specific noise abatement procedures, when both are safe to do so,' she added.
RRO involves planes taking off and landing in the same direction, namely the southwest using opposite ends of the single runway between 11pm and 5.30am.
Disgruntled residents have taken to social media to express their discontent, with manyè complain they will be affected by the noise pollution.
'Good stuff, Springwood/Faulconbridge still getting overnight noise then. The arrivals practically go over our house,' one resident commented.
The finalized flight paths for runway 5 have been decided by the federal government following community feedback, while construction of the airport moved past the halfway point.
The $5.3 billion Western Sydney International Airport in Badgerys Creek, 45km from the CBD, will be the first in New South Wales with no curfew, with flights taking off and landing 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Not Enough Changes, Residents Demand More
Critics, such as the Residents Against Western Sydney Airport (RAWSA) group, argue the changes are merely 'window dressing' and have demanded a curfew and hourly flight caps, citing the lack of change to the '24/7 flight intrusion.'
One local spoke out on a Blue Mountains Facebook group, saying properties under the flight paths should be soundproofed at the government's expense.
'Soundproofing for homes under flight path needed so we can sleep of a night or better still give us a curfew like Mascot. Maybe the people off the West don't count.'
Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill shared the sentiment, calling the decision 'a senseless disregard for the United Nations declaration.'
However, supporters argue the noise will be minimal, suggesting those opposed to the noise should relocate if they're bothered that much.
Some argue that having a 24/7 airport benefits the economy, while others see the implementation of Reciprocal Runway Operations (RRO) as an unnecessary hassle due to potential safety risks.
Pilot Captain Byron Bailey criticized the RRO directive as 'almost farcical' due to the potential congestion caused by pilots having to navigate additional challenges during takeoff and landing. In contrast, aviation consultant Tony Stanton argued that the RRO would only be utilized at night when air traffic is minimal.
Infrastructure and Transport Minister King addressed these concerns, acknowledging the challenges in balance safety, aircraft noise, and community satisfaction.
'Can I say that there will be no noise for anyone? I can't say that because that's the very nature of operating an airport is that you have planes, and planes do make noise,' she admitted.
Enrichment Data:
Current Noise Reduction Measures for Western Sydney Airport
- Prioritization of Southwest Runway Operations at Night
- Environmental Monitoring Program
- Community Engagement Forum
- Noise Insulation and Property Acquisition Program
Effectiveness of Measures
- Community Engagement
- Environmental Considerations
- Technical Solutions
The effectiveness of these measures in addressing local residents' concerns about noise pollution is multifaceted, with some benefits in community engagement, environmental considerations, and technical solutions. However, concerns have been raised regarding the potential safety risks associated with prioritizing noise abatement in certain areas.
- The residents of the Blue Mountains and Wallacia regions, despite appreciating the adjustments made to the initial airport designs, continue to demand more changes, such as a curfew or hourly flight caps, to address the ongoing noise pollution concerns related to the Western Sydney International Airport.
- Critics, including the Residents Against Western Sydney Airport (RAWSA) group, have expressed that the current noise reduction measures, like Reciprocal Runway Operations (RRO) and the prioritization of Southwest Runway Operations at night, are mere "window dressing" and do not effectively address their concerns about the 24/7 flight intrusion.
- The aviation industry and its supporters argue that having a 24/7 airport like the Western Sydney International Airport will benefit the economy, but many residents remain uneased about the potential noise pollution and safety risks associated with these flight operations.
