Western Sydney International (WSI) Airport
The Society's involvement

Release of the Report from the Senate Inquiry into the impact of aircraft noise

The Senate Inquiry Report into the impact of aircraft noise was released on 27 November 2024. You can access the Report here: https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/committees/reportsen/RB000436/toc_pdf/Impactandmitigationofaircraftnoise.pdf

Pleasingly:
The Senate has recognised the importance of the natural environment adjacent to the WSI and the fact that there is potential for the noise associated with the aircraft flight paths to have a detrimental effect on the native animals. They also acknowledged the great concern that local residents have for broader adverse impacts on the World Heritage Area and the importance that UNESCO places on the Federal Government’s responsibility to mitigate any adverse impacts.

The two recommendations that most closely relate to our GBMWHA and the adjacent protected areas (such as Burragorang State Conservation Area) are Recommendation 1 and Recommendation 10 (see below).

In its submissions and letters to Ministers, the Society has particularly emphasized the importance of both collecting baseline data about the ambient noise levels in these natural areas, and the species of birds and other animals present in these areas to enable an assessment of any adverse impact after the airport becomes operational AND then design and implement plans to mitigate any negative impacts.

Disappointingly:
The Senate Inquiry’s report fails to address the power imbalance between the for-profit aviation industry and the communities -both wilderness and human - whose health are adversely affected by aircraft the noise.

There are no recommendations for any restrictions on the massive growth of the aviation industry and its accompanying noise and pollution such as flight caps or curfews. By 2033 the number of aircraft movements for WSI annually is predicted to be 81,000 which is on average one movement every 5 minutes many of which are over the World Heritage Wilderness. By 2055, this number will be 226,000 movements annually which is about one flight every 2 minutes.

The Society will continue to advocate for the rights of the World Heritage Area.

Relevant Senate Inquiry Recommendations:
Recommendation 1: 2.80 The committee recommends that the conditions for approval of the Western Sydney Airport include a requirement for the Western Sydney Airport Corporation to study the impact of its flights on Australian native species.

Recommendation 10:4.64 The committee recommends that the Australian Government moves Australia's flight path design principles towards an altitude based priorities approach—with a view to prioritising minimising noise for communities, and for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and National Parks (below a certain altitude). The Government should conduct an expert review to establish what altitudes should be set for Australian conditions.

What you can do

The EIS currently sits with the Federal Minister for the Environment for her consideration and recommendations.

Write to Minister Plibersek urgently to tell her to adopt the Senate Inquiry’s Recommendation 1 and Recommendation 10 (details above).

Demand Western Sydney Airport Co establish an independent, scientifically rigorous program of monitoring of the soundscape across the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. Data needs to be collected about the ambient noise level at various locations including remote areas, and the species of animals, particularly birds, that are currently present in those same areas. This needs to happen before the opening of the airport and continue after the airport becomes operational.

Demand that flight path design principles are implemented that minimize noise for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and National Parks, including the GBMWHA.

Write to Minister King telling her also to adopt these same recommendations as part of the conditions imposed on the approval of the EIS.

Send a copy of your letters to MP Susan Templeman.

Email addresses:

Environment Minister Plibersek: Minister.Plibersek@dcceew.gov.au
Infrastructure Minister King: Minister.King@mo.infrastructure.gov.au
MP Susan Templeman: susan.templeman.mp@aph.gov.au
What is the problem?

The proposed flight paths from Western Sydney International airport will fly low over the southern sections of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area (GBMWHA) which includes declared wilderness areas. They will also fly low over the adjoining Burragorang State Conservation Area, lying 13 km from the airport, and Lake Burragorang (Sydney’s drinking water).

We are concerned about:
What we want:
The campaign so far

The Society has:

Next steps:

We have meetings scheduled with:

We will Request a meeting with Environment Minister Plibersek.

What you can do


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