Renewed calls for aircraft noise insulation scheme

WITH the Federal Election looming community groups are renewing calls for the Federal Government to fund an aircraft noise insulation scheme for residents affected by flight paths.

Perth Airport is currently reviewing public submissions over its plans to build a third runway ahead of seeking Federal approval for the project.

Under the proposed flight corridors, nearly 10,000 homes will be newly affected by night time aircraft noise, with mapping showing suburbs to the east and south/south-east of the airport the most likely to experience an increase in aircraft noise.

Among the hardest hit are parts of Forrestfield, High Wycombe, South Guildford and Wattle Grove, which could experience up to 200 extra noise events each day.

Guildford Association spokeswoman Barbara Dundas called on candidates to acknowledge the environmental impacts of aircraft noise on residents.

“We are calling on federal representatives to investigate this with a view to implementing a noise insulation package for communities around Perth Airport, whereby the most severely noise affected homes receive insulation to their homes to reduce noise levels,” she said.

“Such noise insulation packages were introduced into Sydney and Adelaide.

“Perth, without a night airport curfew, is arguably in a worse noise situation than Adelaide, as night noise is statistically more heavily weighted that daytime noise.”

Ms Dundas said the noise insulation package could be funded by a $1 surcharge on each plane ticket.

Liberal Member for Swan Steve Irons said he had campaigned strongly for a noise amelioration program for Perth.

“Nearly 10000 constituents have signed my petition calling for an aircraft noise insulation program,” he said.

“It is vitally important that Labor’s Anthony Albanese does not become Transport Minister again and take control of the Perth Airport New Runway Project.

“Shadow Transport Minister Anthony Albanese, who wants to be the Transport Minister for a second time, signed off on the last flight path changes for Perth – the 2008 WA Route Review Project – without consultation with local residents.

“This decision by Albanese led to a public Inquiry which found he had authorised flight path changes without consultation.

“Labor’s Anthony Albanese then prevented these flight paths being fixed for residents by doing a deal with Rob Oakeshott to prevent my Private Member’s Bill passing by one vote.”

In a near identical statement Member for Hasluck Ken Wyatt reiterated the same sentiments as Mr Irons. Labor candidate for Swan, Hannah Beazley, said aircraft noise was an issue in the pockets of the electorate that are affected.

“Many residents have told me that they have been raising their concerns for many years, but nothing has been done to address them,” she said.

Labor candidate for Hasluck James Martin was also contacted for comment.