Brisbane Airport flight paths altered following noise review

Almost 140,000 residents will notice less planes flying overhead after Airservices Australia announced major changes to flight paths at Brisbane Airport.

People living in areas such as Redcliffe, southern Moreton Bay, Bribie Island and Logan are set to benefit the most, however there will be no change to the flight path over Bulimba.

"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 said.

"Unfortunately, we haven't been able to find a solution for Bulimba, it is lined up with the new runway that opened in 2020."

Airservices Australia released the outcome for Package 3 of the noise action plan following community consultation and an investigation into the impacts of aircraft noise.

This was prompted by the opening of Brisbane airport's second runway in 2020, which saw hundreds of additional daily flights over inner-city and western suburbs and led to thousands of noise complaints.

Ms Marshall said the plan also aims to address the level of noise impacting those living in suburbs in flight paths.

"By increasing altitudes in some areas, it is creating a more gradual flight path for the aircraft to come in, so that has the benefit of reducing engine noise which reduces noise on the ground," she said.

Some of the changes came into effect yesterday, while others are subject to Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) approval and other safety assessments by Flight Services Australia and may not be implemented until next year.

Reactions divided over changes

The changes have drawn a mixed response.

Southern Moreton Bay Islands Flight Action Group spokesperson Eve Newsome said the community welcomed the announcement and in particular news that there will be no flights over Macleay, Lamb, and Karragarra Island "Karra" Islands.

"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."

However, she is calling for further clarification regarding flights over Russell Island and the potential impact on residents.

"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."

"We have an older population there … and many things that need protection from pollution and noise."

Meanwhile, Professor Marcus Foth from the Brisbane Flight Path Community Alliance (BFPCA), and former Greens candidate told the ABC, the only people popping champagne are the airline and airport executives.

"Airservices is dressing this up as noise relief, but the real story is capacity. Brisbane Airport is being prepared to operate like two airports in one location," he said.

"Package 3 is not just a disappointing outcome for today's flight-path communities, it is a warning to all of Greater Brisbane," he said.

Airservices Australia said that the changes to the flight paths at Brisbane airport are here to stay, even in the lead up to the 2032 Olympic Games.

"The flight paths that we have initially designed to support the runways at Brisbane airport will be able to cater for Brisbane's ultimate capacity, so we won't have to make any changes before the Olympics or make any changes for the airports ultimate capacity in 20-30 years," Ms Marshall said.

"It's already built into those flight paths and ready for use as needed."