Media Release

Morrison urges Shire residents to have their say in Airservices Australia inquiry

Monday 18th January 2010

Local Federal Member for Cook, Scott Morrison, today urged Shire residents to make submissions to the Federal Parliament’s inquiry into Airservices Australia’s management of aircraft noise.

“Airservices Australia is responsible for ensuring that aircraft noise is properly managed and does not unfairly impact on residents. Since Shire residents bear the brunt of aircraft noise caused by Sydney Airport it is vital that their views are taken into account on the critical issues overseen by Airservices Australia,” Mr Morrison said.

“The review by the Senate Standing Committee on Rural and Regional Affairs and transport, will focus particularly on whether Airservices has maintained an open and informative public consultation process and pursued equitable noise sharing arrangements,” he said.

“Airservices does not have an unblemished record. Just last year I forced them to investigate their new highway in the sky over the Shire which they had originally failed to acknowledge.

“Airservices increased aircraft movements ten-fold along the narrow 200 metre corridor running from Five Dock to the Shire, affecting the suburbs of Kareela, Sylvania, Miranda, Gymea and Gymea Bay.

“The flight path was introduced by stealth and was in breach of the Long Term Operating Plan (LTOP) for Sydney Airport introduced by the Coalition Government to ensure noise was shared and where possible directed planes over water.

"Failures such as these must not be allowed to happen. If Airservices Australia wants to change the rules, then they must consult the communities that will be impacted.

"I encourage all Shire residents affected by aircraft noise, particularly those who have felt let down by Airservices, to make their feelings known to the inquiry,” Mr Morrison said.

Submissions to the Airservices inquiry can be made via rrat.sen@aph.gov.au or mailed to Committee Secretary, Senate Standing Committee on Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport, PO Box 6100, Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600.

Submissions close on January 29.