A report on a senate inquiry into aircraft noise tabled in parliament last week has made no recommendations specifically relating to general aviation airports.
The Senate Standing Committee on Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport (RRAT) presented the report after an inquiry that covered eight months, held four public hearings and collected 700 submissions.
Of the 21 recommendations made, none related directly to GA airports, though several recommendations–if accepted by the government–could be applied broadly to capture all airports.
Despite concerns raised by community groups over circuit training, the senate committee notably made no recommendations about closing or relocating airports, or modifying flight paths or training patterns.
The committee recognised the concerns of the general public, and pointed to the Fly Neighbourly measures outlined in the 2024 Aviation White Paper as a method of mitigating noise.
"The committee appreciates the concerns raised by residents impacted by General Aviation," the inquiry report states. "The constant and repeated noise generated by some types of GA flights offers residents little respite and can be extended over long periods of time.
"This is cause for concern as quality of life for residents around these airports is lowered.
"The majority of GA airports are owned and operated by state governments and are not under the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth. However, the committee maintains that the Government should work with states and territories to minimise impacts of GA flights over residential areas.
"The committee supports the increased usage of 'Fly Neighbourly' agreements. These agreements are a useful way of listening to and acknowledging community concerns with aircraft noise, while continuing airport operations in a more conscientious manner.
"The committee encourages GA airports to consider the use of noise sharing and 'Fly Neighbourly' programs."
Among the evidence presented to the committee by community groups was the contention that circuit training should be removed from metropolitan airports and relocated to regional airports. Other evidence included:
- residents can experience between 500 and 1000 flyovers per day
- joy and training flights should not be allowed over densely populated areas
- relaxing regulations in 2013 allows aircraft freedom to move with minimal ATC control
- aircraft regularly break the regulation of not flying below 1000 feet AGL over residential areas
- alternative flight paths should be introduced to spread noise more evenly over wider areas
- the preferred outcome is to remove the airports completely.
The Regional Aviation Association of Australia (RAAA) said in a written submission to the inquiry that urban sprawl in capital cities has contributed to the aircraft noise issue.
"By their very existence airports are close to the communities they serve," the RAAA points out. "Most capital city airports in Australia were originally built away from residential areas. However, over time with the growth of our cities and towns some airports are now surrounded by urban living.
"Melbourne airport is an example of this. It originally opened in 1970 as a green field development on the outskirts of Melbourne. The site was chosen as it was well away from the residential suburbs. Today with urban sprawl its very much a part of the local residential community and yet, whilst the airport was there first, some residents are not happy with the aircraft noise at this location.
"Generally speaking, many larger airports have been located and designed in such a manner that their impacts on the surrounding communities are mitigated as far as possible.
"The reality is however that it is impossible to design flight paths to completely avoid residential areas."
Although not directly related to GA, the senate committee recommended that:
- airport Master Plans and Major Development Plans address compensating residents for additional noise
- the minister consider whether noise levies should be applied as part of the Master Plan approval process
- the government research the impact of aircraft noise on health
- the government develops guidelines for noise envelopes at airports
- changes to flight paths and airspace management be referred to the Aircraft Noise Ombudsman
- Airservices reviews airspace over metropolitan areas when an airport adds or expands a runway
- the noise complaints service be removed from Airservices
- the department modernise the airport Master Plan and Major Development Plan processes particularly in relation to generated noise.
"Aviation is critical to Australia's economy and way of life and connects and sustains regional areas," the report notes. "Noise and other environmental impacts are an intrinsic part of aviation and are increasing with the growth of the sector over time.
"Impacts on people and communities are also increasing. Governments must take a balanced approach to supporting the growth of Australian aviation while minimising impacts where possible and taking the views of communities affected by flight path decisions into account.
"Airservices, airport corporations, the Minister and their department need to provide timely, specific and easily understood information and be up front with communities about how aircraft noise will impact them."
The full senate inquiry report is on the Australian Parliament House website.