Brisbane Airport flight paths altered following noise review

Nearly 140,000 residents around Brisbane Airport will experience less overhead air traffic following major flight path alterations announced by Airservices Australia. The changes are designed to alleviate aircraft noise, with communities in Redcliffe, southern Moreton Bay, Bribie Island, and Logan anticipated to see the most significant benefits. However, the flight path directly over Bulimba will not change, as it aligns with the airport's second runway, which opened in 2020.

“

The benefit is getting those flights away from the southern end of Bribie Island where they were subject to flight at a low altitude and therefore quite a lot of noise.

Donna Marshall, Airservices Australia's head of community engagement, noted that the adjustments aim to move flights away from the southern end of Bribie Island, where low-altitude flights caused considerable noise. She acknowledged that a solution for Bulimba has not yet been found. The review of flight paths was initiated after the second runway's opening led to hundreds of additional daily flights over inner-city and western suburbs, resulting in thousands of noise complaints.

Marshall explained that increasing flight altitudes in some areas will create a more gradual approach for aircraft, thereby reducing engine noise and its impact on the ground. While some changes took effect immediately, others require approval from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and further safety assessments, potentially delaying their implementation until next year.

“

Our community was committed to preventing flights over Macleay Island in particular … and what we've seen is Airservices Australia has listened to southern Moreton Bay communities and our concerns about noise and pollution.

Community responses to the changes have been divided. Eve Newsome, spokesperson for the Southern Moreton Bay Islands Flight Action Group, welcomed the announcement, particularly the news of no flights over Macleay, Lamb, and "Karra" Islands. She stated that Airservices Australia had listened to the concerns of southern Moreton Bay communities regarding noise and pollution. However, Newsome also called for clarification on flights over Russell Island, expressing concern that a new flight path directly over the island could negatively impact residents, especially the elderly population and environmentally sensitive areas.

“

Russell Island has had a new flight path announced yesterday and it is going directly over the island and this is despite community concern and hundreds of submissions by residents.