Media Release

Less talk, more action needed on aircraft noise

Friday 19th February 2010

Local Federal Member for Cook, Scott Morrison said the Rudd Government has failed to take action on resident’s concerns over aircraft noise, caused by their changes to aircraft operations that have created a highway in the sky over the Shire.

“Last year we exposed a major change in how planes were flying over the Shire, with a significantly increased concentration of flights down a very narrow path running from Sylvania Heights over Miranda and not Gymea and Gymea Bay. Other suburbs such as Kareela, Grays Point and Yowie Bay have also been impacted,” Mr Morrison said.

“At today’s meeting of the Sydney Airport Community Forum I called on Airservices Australia to follow through on their commitment I secured last year, for them to investigate what action could be taken to fix the problem,” he said.

“The only response we received again today was to confirm that the planes we have seen and heard flying over our homes, especially early in the morning, are actually there.

“Well we didn’t need to be convinced, we know they’re there. We want the Rudd Government to stop talking and take some action.

“In September last year, Airservices Australia committed to investigate ways to spread the flights over a wider area to minimise the concentration of noise, and ensure planes stayed above minimum altitudes. After four months, we’re still waiting for them to act.

“While Airservices today confirmed some of the noise problem was caused by construction works on Sydney Airport’s east/west runway, the main reason for the concentration is new flight path technology they have introduced. This is technology they seem reluctant to use to get a fairer outcome for Shire residents.

“Where does this leave Shire residents? Airservices should be doing their job and finding ways to ensure Shire residents are no longer forced to put up with unfair levels of aircraft noise, not making excuses for why it can’t happen.

“The Rudd Government are the ones who changed the rules and have been caught out. They must now set things right” Mr Morrison said.