The yellow area marks the flight path for the validation study undertaken by Airservices Australia.
Camera IconThe yellow area marks the flight path for the validation study undertaken by Airservices Australia. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Night-time flight path won’t change

Bryce LuffFremantle Gazette

In February Airservices Australia announced planes departing the runway between 10pm and 5am would leave via Piara Waters, Southern River and Harrisdale before heading over Cockburn Central.

Planes usually leave over the Shelley, Riverton and Rossmoyne area to the south and the Thornlie, Huntingdale and Gosnells area to the east.

The change was part of a test run between February and April to validate noise data gathered last year which indicated there would be no noise improvement if the trial routes were implemented full time.

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Last week, an Airservices Australia spokeswoman said the recent study had confirmed what was previously thought.

“The results of the data validation study mean that there will be no changes to the flight paths for aircraft departing to the south from runway 21,” she said. “This study confirms our modelling and our previous finding that any change to night-time departures from Runway 21 would not deliver an overall noise improvement.”

Yangebup Progress Association president Chontelle Sands said the YPA was glad to see the end of the trial.

“Our residents reported that they experienced loud aircraft noises waking them or keeping them awake late at night during the trial period,” she said. “It was disruptive for many. Everyone is breathing a sigh of relief that it’s over.”

Canning Vale Night Flight Opposition co-ordinator Joanne Norman said residents there were breathing a huge sigh of relief.

“We feel that the outcome is fair,” she said.

“What has often been overlooked by residents of the Swan River corridor who were pushing for the change is the fact that we already have significant aircraft noise both day and night from arrivals to Perth airport and Jandakot air traffic as well.

“It would not have been fair to give us all the departures from runway 21 at night on top of that.”