Aircraft noise is collectively managed by governments, aircraft manufacturers, airline carriers and airline operators.
There are four ways that aircraft noise is managed:
- Reduction of noise at the source through aircraft technology improvements.
- Compatible land-use planning. This involves directing incompatible land use (such as homes, schools, etc.) away from the airport environment/flight paths and to encourage compatible land use (such as industrial, commercial uses, etc.) in these areas. Land use controls for the area around Melbourne Airport were implemented by the State Government in 1992. The purpose of these controls is to ensure the efficient operation of Melbourne Airport, both now and in the future, is adversely affected by inappropriate developments (such as homes, schools, hospitals). Details of land use planning controls can be found here.
- Noise abatement procedures. The size and shape of noise contours around an airport are influenced by both inflight and ground-based operational procedures. The airport works together with Airservices and airlines to implement a range of procedures to minimise the number of people affected by aircraft noise. An example includes directing aircrafts to utilise flight paths that pass over semi-rural areas during the evening, or spreading the use of all available flight paths to lessen the intensity of aircraft noise.
- Aircraft operating restrictions. This is when an aircraft is given reduced aircraft access to the airport, such as prohibiting or imposing other restrictions around noisy aircraft.
Organisations working in noise management
Airservices
Airservices is a government-owned corporation providing safe, efficient and environmentally responsible services to the aviation industry. Airservices plays an important role in managing noise.
Its role involves:
- Ensuring that flight departures and arrivals are designed to minimise noise impacts on communities around airports
- Providing information about aircraft noise
- Monitoring aircraft noise around major airports
- Providing a national Noise Complaints and Information Service
Useful links:
Aircraft Noise Ombudsman
The Aircraft Noise Ombudsman oversees the handling of aircraft noise enquiries and complaints, conducts independent reviews of noise complaints handling, and makes recommendations for improvements when necessary.
Noise Abatement Committee
This committee is chaired by Melbourne Airport and consists of representatives from Airservices, airlines, State EPA, Australian Government Planning, Transport and Local Infrastructure and local councils. The Committee’s role is to review the impact of aircraft noise exposure on the surrounding community and, in a consultative manner, makes recommendations to minimise the effect of aircraft noise. See more information about the Noise Abatement Committee.
Community Aviation Consultation Group
This group provides the opportunity for community members, Government and industry to raise issues and express opinions regarding Melbourne Airport, particularly with regard to planning, development and operations. See more information about the CACG.