Airservices Australia will implement measures to reduce noise.
Camera IconAirservices Australia will implement measures to reduce noise. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Hopes changes reduce noise

Susanne ReillySouthern Gazette

The procedures have three key changes: change the airport's preferred runway system, the introduction of 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.

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

The plan also introduces smart tracking which about 6000 aircrafts will use in the first year.

Smart tracking is satellite-assisted navigation which allows an aircraft to approach the airport from the southeast and will allow most pilots to use minimal engine power on descent to the runway.

It is expected that this will mean there will be less planes flown over populated areas in the Perth Hills and no further regular arrival flights over Bickley and Carmel.

The plan also proposes to reduce night-time noise.

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

It is expected aircraft departing over Canning Vale will be above 4500 feet. The noise impact is likely to be noticeable but it will be offset by 1100 fewer arrivals a year at 2000 feet over this area as a result of introducing the smart tracking.

Once past Canning Vale, it is expected most aircraft will be above 7000 feet when flying over a residential area and are not likely to be noticeable.

Swan MHR Steve Irons believes the plans are a step in the right direction but cautioned residents� expectations, as he suspects the plans won't go far enough to 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.

"I commend Airservices Australia for recognising their past mistake of not consulting with the community and for working to implement noise amelioration measures that will benefit the Perth metropolitan community holistically."

Mr Irons said although he welcomes each of the abatement measures introduced, he doesn't believe Swan residents will witness the respite in noise levels they expect.

"The majority of residents who contact my office raising concerns about aircraft noise are for those flights departing between 5.30am and 7.30am, not at night, which appears to be the focus of Airservices Australia," he said.