Residents annoyed by flight path changes

Local resident Sharon Zeng set up a petition in objection to the trial, which has received more than 700 signatures.

Having moved from Thornlie to Canning Vale three years ago to escape the aircraft noise, the real estate agent is concerned the quiet lifestyle Canning Vale is known for will be affected.

She is also concerned changes to flight paths will affect the house prices in Canning Vale.

"I think there will be a very serious impact on our life if changes are made," Ms Zeng said.

"They are just shifting the noise problem and that doesn't seem reasonable; if they said it was because of a safety reason then we could understand."

City of Gosnells Councillor Wayne Barrett is encouraging residents potentially affected by changes to attend community information sessions.

"Get along to those forums, ask all the questions you can," he said.

"I ask all residents to note and diarise everything to see what changes there are because then we will have good ammunition to say"hey, hang on, it's not happening how you said it would" and go from there."

In a bid to minimise the impact of aircraft noise on residential areas, Airservices Australia is looking at implementing three key changes.

This includes changing the airport's preferred runway system, introducing Smart Tracking guidance systems and a 12-month trial to reduce noise levels at night.

It is proposed to change the system of preferred runways for both arrivals and departures.

For arrivals and departures, equal preference would be given to runways over Guildford, Greenmount and Queens Park.

Arrivals and departures over Redcliffe would be maintained as being least-preferred.

The plan also introduces smart tracking - satellite-assisted navigation, which allows an aircraft to approach the airport from the southeast and allow pilots to use minimal engine power on descent to the runway.

The plan also proposes to reduce night time noise.

It is proposed a new flight path will use the non-residential land around Jandakot Airport.

It is expected aircraft departing over Canning Vale will be at above 4500 feet, but the noise impact is likely to be noticeable.

However, it will be offset by 1100 fewer arrivals a year at 2000 feet over the area as a result of introducing the smart tracking. Once past Canning Vale, most aircraft will be above 7000 feet when flying over a residential area and will not likely be noticeable.

Swan MHR Steve Irons believed plans were a step in the right direction but suspected they would not appropriately ameliorate noise levels.

"I have been fighting for a noise insulation scheme to be introduced by Airservices Australia since flight paths were changed in 2008 with little or no community consultation," he said.

An Airservices spokesman said it was always seeking opportunities to minimise aircraft noise and encouraged residents to provide feedback during the 12-month trial.

To provide feedback, call 1800 802 584, email ncis@airservicesaustralia.com or mail to PO Box 211, Mascot NSW, 1460.

Two community information sessions regarding the issue are to be held in the City of Gosnells next month. The first on Tuesday May 12, from 5pm-7pm at Maddington Community Centre; the second on Wednesday May 13, from 5pm-7pm at Gosnells RSL Hall.