Steve Irons MP - Federal Member for Swan

Federal Member for Swan

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Monday, 21 September 2009 Article Rating

The local community has every right to be disappointed about the recent flight path changes in Perth.

The changes were made by Air Services Australia (ASA) on safety grounds – but there was no consultation with the local community.

Over the last few months constituents from across the local area have been telling me about the new noise levels they have been experiencing.  Many have had their say by completing my Airport Noise survey.  (click here to access)

The result of the survey is clear:  There have been major changes to established flight paths affecting many suburbs.

As a result I have been arguing for the reopening of the Western Australian Route Review Project (WARRP).  It is unacceptable that major changes and life-changing decisions could have been made without the community having their say.

However ASA have refused to contemplate this – despite having admitted that their consultation process was flawed.

Given the Minister for Transport has not stepped in and ensured WARRP is reopened, we now must look to how we can compensate locals who are suffering from these noise changes.

I am calling for a noise insulation program for Perth, similar to the ones that operated in Sydney and Adelaide.

The Sydney and Adelaide schemes were brought in after there were significant changes to noise around the airports following new runways.

Costs of program were recovered from airlines through a levy on passenger landings.

I see no reason why a similar program couldn’t be introduced in Perth given the substantial changes that have taken place.  There is a precedent and if it is good enough for Sydney and Adelaide then it should be good enough for Perth.  People from Perth supported the Sydney and Adelaide schemes.

There is also local support – 70% of respondents to my survey have said that they would be prepared to pay part of the cost for noise insulation if there was a Government rebate.

I think this is the best way forward from this difficult situation and I will be fighting for this scheme in Parliament.

I would be interested to hear your views.  Please email me or leave a comment below.

 

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Comments

b.kusumo
# b.kusumo
Monday, October 19, 2009 2:30 PM
I AGREE THAT INSULATION SYSTEM HAVE TO BE IN PLACE IN OUR HOUSE RESPECTIVELY,BECAUSE TOO NOISY.NOW SO MANY PLANES ARE FLYING OVER ABOVE MY ROOF EVEN AT MIDNIGHT TIME.
SO BESIDES INSULATION I SUGGEST TO HAVE CURFEW FOR PLANE BETWEEN 11.30PM UNTIL 5.30AM.
FOR LONG TERM I SUGGEST TO MOVE THE AIRPORT TO FREMANTLE AREA(WITH RECLAIMATION PROJECT) ,SO ALL ENTRANCE GATES TO PERTH THRU FREMANTLE.
Margaret Smith
# Margaret Smith
Tuesday, October 20, 2009 5:12 PM
a curfew is required from midnight to 6.00 a.m as well as insulation. Most people have their windows and doars open at night in the summer to let in the cool evening air to cool the house down. What good would insulation be then.
Yu
# Yu
Wednesday, October 21, 2009 3:45 PM
Everyday and night, quite many planes are passing over the area of Lynwood that I am living in. It did not used to be like that most time of the last year. Right now I am heavily effected by the plane noise at night when I am at home and trying to sleep. In fact, I often got waken up during my night sleep. Wonder if anybody else has the same issue?
Marlene Wilson
Wednesday, October 21, 2009 11:04 PM
I live in the Waterford area and the aircraft noise has increased in the last year, particularly late evening and early morning.We need a curfew between 12 pm and 6am at the very least as they have in most European cities.
Dhedy Wong
# Dhedy Wong
Thursday, October 22, 2009 12:54 AM
I live in Manning, and I just moved in to Manning from Bentley since last june. In Bentley, the noise of the planes were so disturbing. I tought this kind of noises would not occur in Manning. But it turns out the other way around, it is really disturbing at night to hear those plane noises. I dont care if it is afternoon, because i know its the working hour, but at night is not toleratable.

I'm not willing to spend any money to build any noise insulation program, i think it is the airline and governent responsibility to handle this kind of problem. Everybody pays high taxes to the government every year and i think the government needs to spend those money on this noise insulation scheme
b.kusumo
# b.kusumo
Thursday, October 22, 2009 9:27 AM
To add to my previous email on 19 Oct 09, my house is at LANGFORD and I don't want to spend money to install insulation system because I have no budget for it.My wife and I are senior and retired resident.
C. Thompson
# C. Thompson
Thursday, October 22, 2009 2:55 PM
I live in Rivervale and have noticed an increase in flights over my house during the day. On some days the noise starts at 3am and continues all day with planes passing directly over my house every 5 minutes. I do not think insulation is the answer as I like fresh air and prefer to leave my windows open. My family is unable to sleep at night and our days are a nightmare. Flight paths should be altered so that the brunt of aircraft noise does not affect a few unlucky suburbs. The Western suburbs should bear some of the noise as I guarantee the people who fly the most come from these suburbs!
Xiaodi Li
# Xiaodi Li
Friday, October 23, 2009 11:25 AM
Yes, it is the time to fight againstthe noise disturbance. The flying over Redcliffe Street, East Cannington makes me awake every day from 23.00pm to 6.00am. This has negative effects on my daily work.

We are not only deserve an airport noise insulation scheme, but also want a curfew between 23.00 pm and 6.00am as a similar program in most European and US cities.
I would also suggest that we also have this campaign to some possible affected suburbs in the Hasluck and Perth Electorates.

BTW, please see the following link for the latest noise level between April and June 2009

http://www.airservicesaustralia.com.au/projectsservices/reports/nfpms/2009/PH09Q2.pdf

The Airport should take actions to lower down the noise level as well.
A Norris
# A Norris
Friday, October 23, 2009 3:18 PM
I live in Lathlain and the change to approach routes has increased the noise levels at my place. So what, if you choose to live in close proximity to any airport it is expected that there is going to be aircraft noise.
If residents are unhappy about this they should have chosen an area to live that is not close to an airport and it’s present or future flight paths, the airport was there long before most families took up residence in the effected areas. So stop bleating, and expecting government hand outs, also trying to place inappropriate restrictions on the airport, you new what was coming, it's called progress and there is still more to come so live with it, or move.

X Li
# X Li
Saturday, October 24, 2009 10:23 AM
Please refer to the Noise Control Program in LA, US:
http://www.lawa.org/uploadedFiles/VNY/pdf/Noise_Programs.pdf AND
http://www.lawa.org/welcome_VNY.aspx?id=1728&terms=Curfew

If the LA Airport can do these, why not the Perth Airport.

Also, a school-soundproofing program in the aircraft noise area should be also required if any school has been affected.
dianne
# dianne
Tuesday, October 27, 2009 8:55 PM
As a resident of Queens Park for 15 years, the increase in traffic has over the past few years and corresponding noise has greatly impacted on our lives,not only inside the house but more so outside, trying to enjoy a bbq , swim or gardening. We also note that the newer aircraft are much quieter and have a lesser impact, obviously fitted with stage 4 exhaust systems, perhaps a curfew on all aircraft not fitted with the latest technology, to which i am lead to believe can be retrofitted to older jets,could be a simple compromise.
peter queens park
# peter queens park
Tuesday, October 27, 2009 9:05 PM
in response to C. Thompson/ "a few unlucky suburbs",,,, i can remember a time when the flight paths were alter as the seasons and winds changed, but that was when the cross runway was in use, didn't a mayor of a particular suburb have that practice stopped citing safety reasons and stopping air traffic over Morley districts
Peter
# Peter
Monday, November 09, 2009 8:56 AM
I live in Lathlain. We built our new home in 2007 when there was no aircraft flying over. Now after this major investment we have planes flying over when there are easterlies. Our home is already insulated. I suggest that the AA and the government be accountable for the loss in value of my property and for any future buyers by paying for our Shire Rates every year and other associated local government costs for living in the area affected by this new flight path.

This issue was forced upon us with little to no substantial consultation and has nothing to do with living close to the city! You fly, you pay.
Ian
# Ian
Thursday, November 19, 2009 1:49 AM
I live in Como and have noticed a dramatic change in the proximity and frequency of flights since the WARRP changes were implemented. For Air Services Australia to argue that the changes were minimal is laughable. Before buying my house 10 years ago, I checked the flight corridors and there was only one corridor running east/west several miles to the south. The WARRP changes widened this corridor to the north so that it is now much closer to my house. The number of planes that use this corridor has dramatically increased. At certain times on certain days I can count over 20 planes in 1 hour (we get Jandakot flights as well). Whenever there is an Easterly blowing, the planes fly directly over my house at very low altitudes as they approach the airport for landing - the noise is deafening and continual, with up to 4 planes flying over in a 10 minute period. And no, I didn't buy a house close the airport, and yes I did check flight paths before buying, and no I didn't pay less for the house when I bought it, and yes, I will now lose money on my house, lose sleep and lose my sanity due to these changes.
Matt Acton
# Matt Acton
Thursday, November 19, 2009 7:16 PM
Many times I have been woken by noisy aircraft. I have submitted complaints with responses like:

"The Aircraft of concern was a Russian Aircraft “Antonov” departing off runway 21 to the Maldives. This aircraft is a cargo aircraft and does not come into Australia very often. "

Fair enough, we all love our cargo from the Maldives - but not in the early hours of the morning! I don't mind the occassional airplane while watching the Simpsons, please help out with a curfew between 12-6am so I can get a healthy nights sleep.

As I write this 9 aircraft have flown over....
Chris
# Chris
Monday, November 30, 2009 9:17 PM
I am not part of your electorate - I live in the little bit of Shelley on the Riverton side of Leach Highway and it seems that I get noise from aircraft taking off and landing. At the beginning of the year I would wake at the same time every night not realising that I had been woken by aircraft flying overhead. I don't mind the noise during the day, when I am awake, but I could do with a little more sleep. Being woken at 12:30 am and then again at 4 or 5am is starting to get to me. Even with the windows and doors closed some of the aircraft sound like they are a metre or so above the roof. I am trying to save up for double glazing and extra roof insulation but it will take a while and in the mean time - no sleep.
P Lalor
# P Lalor
Thursday, December 24, 2009 7:48 AM
I have recently moved to Belmont, almost directly under the majority of flight paths knowing in advance the noice level of aircraft that would be associated with the relocation.
I concur with A. Norris, stop expecting the Government to continue in giving free handouts and learn to live with the inconvienience, after all, most flights occur within a short time frame, and the rest of the day there is more noice factor from passing traffic.
The more you complain, the more frustrated you become, and the more you force yourself to consider the noice factor a disruption.
Margaret Major
# Margaret Major
Saturday, January 09, 2010 7:55 AM
Hi Steve,

I was disappointed to read 70% of respondence to your survey were prepared to pay part of insulation costs to reduce aircraft noise. Please tell the 70% of responds the actual cost involved (then the percentage rate may not be so high, you are not talking hundreds of dollars, it is thousands of dollars). Acoustic insulation is very expensive approx $50 per square metre, compared to its cheaper cousin thermal insulation which already is compulsory and carries and government rebate.

Would Homeswest be prepared to contribute? As they are not very willing to put security mesh on their homes!

It is my understanding in the other states 100% of this insulation is paid for by the airport or federal government. Why should Western Australia be any different?

Does your definition of insulation also refer to window double glazing? This cost for my home is approximately $8,500.

This is an issue that needs to be resolved before the next Federal Election.

Would like your comments on the above.

Regards Marg. Major

Marg
# Marg
Monday, January 11, 2010 9:02 AM
We need a curfew - 10.30pm to 6.30am. aircraft activity every morning at 5.30am, waking children is very unhealthy.
AD - Queens Park
# AD - Queens Park
Thursday, January 21, 2010 12:52 PM
I completely agree with Marg .....

We need a curfew - 10.30pm t0 6.30am.
Rick
# Rick
Sunday, February 07, 2010 4:55 PM
The politicians don't want to know. Perth is bad but Jandakot is worse. Planes fly around doing training on Chinese and Singaporian wannabe cowboys at all hours of the night. It's really quite debilitating not being able to sleep.

Jandakot sucks. I wonder if the pilots know what kind of distress they are causing and if they would even care if they knew.

We must fight for curfews NOW
linda
# linda
Tuesday, March 16, 2010 11:19 AM
I agree. A night curfew is important over residential areas. I have a disabled child who has sleep issues. Lack of sleep triggers seizures. When something wakes him in the night he cant get back to sleep so has often been awake from 12 till 5 and the next day is very difficult for us.

We now use drugs to get him back to sleep in this situation. But we hate doing that.

Broken sleep is an issue for everyone. But for people in our community with medical problems and those under extreme stress iit can be critical.

Julian
# Julian
Thursday, March 18, 2010 9:47 AM
I heard that if Perth Airport was to bring in a curfew that it would damage the economy of WA. My opinion is that Sydney has a lot more air traffic due to tourism etc, then why can't we afford to have a curfew between 11:00pm - 6:00pm?? Plus, what's more important, the sanity of residents, or the interests of big business/government? These people couldn't care one iota about effected residents of surrounding suburbs.

I have lived in Beckenham for 14 years and air traffic has always been an issue, but no where near the extent it has been in the last year or two. The planes taking off have always been reasonably close but for those previous years I have tolerated the noise which was more in the distance. Fast forward 12 years later, I now have a continual stream of airplanes flying directly overhead and in the early hours of the morning. If I knew this was going to be the case 14 years ago, I would have thought twice about being here. It's just not on!!!

It is an outrage that these planes can fly out one after the other between 12:00am and 2:00am in the morning directly over my house, then ramp up again around 5:00am onwards. I sometimes lay there in the early hours of the morning and find that not one minute goes by without the sound of their loud jet engines roaring. Tearing my hair out has been one option to dealing with this frustration.

I think big business and government should have more respect for people in the surrounding areas of the airport and implement a curfew for the sake of having some peace in the dead of the night.

If enough public pressure is applied, these pollies and big business will have to succumb to our needs and respect the fact we have rights in this world. Otherwise they'll continually meet the needs of the special interests, rather than the needs and interests of the people.

I think it’s time for all affected residents to stand up and demand this curfew and not just be brushed aside with the promise of insulation. A curfew is the only reasonable step in keeping the peace and I for one will make my voice be heard.
Peter
# Peter
Thursday, April 15, 2010 10:01 PM
The increase in aircraft flights will only increase due to the mining boom and increased population but as the number of flights increase the greater the chance of at least a curfew and/or insulation being implemented. The increase in flights will ultimately be the catalyst that will bring about the change that eveyone is talking about.
Trish
# Trish
Monday, May 03, 2010 10:18 AM
I am in Queens Park. I notice not too many comments from the Canning area. We moved here 3 years ago knowing the flight path was overhead,the noise in 3 years has increased 10 fold. We now have to stop mid conversation, turn TV up and put our callers on hold untill the planes pass.
The value of our propeties has not increased as much as they should have due to the air craft noise.
Please double glass all homes in the area. We have added insutation and shutters at avery high cost.
uma
# uma
Thursday, May 20, 2010 6:17 PM
I just moved To Rivervale drive. Some training flights i guess , the noise is tearing my ears apart. I'm not sure whther this is always here. But be careful before moving in here.
Trudy
# Trudy
Friday, May 28, 2010 9:35 PM
I live in South Guildford and I expect plane noise but when planes are coming in and landing all hours of the night right above our house and then again from 5am then that is not only unacceptable but its a joke !! Bring on a curfew, rebates for double glazing and insulation and make plans to move the airport !!
Peter
# Peter
Thursday, July 15, 2010 2:06 PM
I have been living in my home near the Belmont Forum for 20 years now, as an estimate the noise levels from aircraft has increased 3 fold in that time. There was a time when the noise at night didn't bother anyone because it seemed there as some de-facto curfew in place between midnight and 6am-that of course has long gone-I now hear aircraft movements until just after 1am and as early as 5am-of course this depends on daylight saving time in the eastern states as well as business people like to get to the ES for an early start, then there are the larger aircraft such as 747's that depart heavy late at night for the ES full of passengers and loaded to the gills with freight-being heavy they require a near full power take-off setting and therefore use more Runway to get airborne and linger longer and lower over the departing take-off Flight path in gaining alttude-these aircraft should be banned after 11pm. Then there are International arrivals from countries West of Perth that seem to dictate to Perth Airport Management what time they can come it that suits their timetable-doesn't matter if most of Perth is asleep at that time.
Additional measures that should be considered during evening hours are a ban on aircraft using excessive reverse thrust to slow their aircraft on landing simply to enable them to turn off the runway a few hundred metres earlier in order to save taxi-ing fuel. Don't forget Perth Airport is controlled by a Publicly Listed Company and it will resist all measures to roll back any of its very profitable income gained from Aircraft movements and other ancilliary services it provides.
Marg
# Marg
Saturday, July 17, 2010 5:23 PM

DO YOU CARE? CURFEW IS THE ONLY ANSWER!
Ian
# Ian
Monday, July 19, 2010 8:46 AM
Imposing a curfew on Perth airport would be the dumbest thing any government could do (apart from, maybe, a crazy tax to destroy the mining industry). The airport is a solid (and growing) source of employment and business opportunities that benefit the whole community, and we all take flights at odd hours of the night because it suits us nicely. Remember, one of the reasons that flights "cluster" around midnight to 1am in Perth is because of the crazy curfew at Sydney airport. Also remember that aircraft get quieter each year as new models are introduced into service. Also remember that lots of people choose to live closer to Perth airport so they can quickly catch their early-morning flights to the mining operations that bring in the revenue that keeps WA afloat.
himalyan
Wednesday, August 11, 2010 9:39 PM
The public areas at Tradewinds were in need of a good clean(carpets were dirty and full of cigaret ends and bits of paper, lifts were dirty). The staff on reception were OK if a little down at heel but helpful if needed.
The food in the restaurant was adequate.
http://himalyanacoustics.com/
marg
# marg
Tuesday, August 17, 2010 11:16 PM
Ian,

I understand what you are saying. However we purchased our home 15yrs ago, when there was no flight path over it, the flight path was put here 2 years ago. I live 15Km from the Perth Airport and should not hear any aircraft noise, they have been flying approx 1000m most nights waking the entire family, the children are going to school constantly tired. There are no noise monitors in the area at all, and communicating with bureaucracy falls only on deaf ears. I have ask for monitors. I take a sleeping tablet occassionally to get a good night sleep, however am still woken brief by the aircraft. I would like to hear one of the quieter newer models of aircraft you are talking about. A lot of these night flights are going to Asia, no new aircraft ...... not now and not in 10years time. By the way, WITH AN ELECTION LOOMING, I have observed a massive reduction in aircraft to the East. For the past week we (in the west corridor) have had them every night. I live in a 17% state housing area with a high population of overseas university students. Where do you think the votes are? In the Eastern suburbs! There has been NO effort since changing the flight paths 2 years ago, to disperse aircraft at night throughtout the metropolitan area. We would like a break, these aircraft turn a sharp right over Waterford to fly up through Manning. DO THEY CARE? About the community! The state housing tenance! The school children! The Curtin University Students! DO YOU CARE? Good for those people whom choose to live near Perth Airport...We did not, we purchased away from the Airport and away from any flight path, 15KMs
Melissa
# Melissa
Friday, August 20, 2010 10:12 AM
Hi,

I bought my home in Queens Park 3 years ago (2007) & didn't notice any planes during each visit to the home opens; but that may have just been sneaky planning by the agent. As soon as we moved in we soon found out about the planes. The very first night enjoying a drink with family out the back! I don't think they have increased or decreased at all during that time, we notice them less in winter as we're outside less; but even inside I can't hear on the phone (mobile & landline) & we have to pause movies; but you can't pause TV!

When outside I can't even have a conversation with someone sitting 2 metres away from me - HOW SAD IS THAT! We have to pause the conversation & wait for the plane to pass or yell at each other. The planes pass over sometimes only a few minutes apart so you can see how annoying that would be. I know it may not seem like a huge problem; but it does mean that I would never re-buy in Queens Park & thus resulting in the value of home dropping due to the problem & that is totally unfair on the home owners.

I don't think the government should be paying for insulation into homes as that still doesn't fix the sound when outside your home, but I do agree something has to change. I don't know enough about the scheme, but if that is the ONLY solution then i guess it should be looked into seriously. And those opposing the idea might like to stay at my house for a few days & sit outside & watch all the planes come in directly over my house & see if they can enjoy a conversation outside or watch TV. I'm a heavy sleeper so I cannot comment about the interuptions during the night.

I'm actually selling my property now but I still feel strongly that this is an issue & I feel for those who have had to put up with the problem in Queens Park for longer than I have. I'm not moving far; so I suspect i'll still experience the issue in the new home too - but hopefully less.

Jack Martin
# Jack Martin
Monday, October 18, 2010 6:51 PM
Planes are Awsome! I often love the sound awaking me at 3am and watching them from the front of the house!

The aircraft fly over my house when doing the runway 03 approach!

I wish all of the Aircraft would fly over atwell! :)
Lee Baldock
# Lee Baldock
Thursday, October 21, 2010 11:36 AM
I have just made a complaint to Airservices Australia:

Complaint submitted at: 21-Oct-2010 1:03 PM
Given Name: Lee
Surname: Baldock
Street: Wooltana Street
Suburb: COMO
State: WA
Date of Concern: 21-Oct-2010
Time of Concern: 5:40 AM
Type of Call: Complaint
Comment: Where I live - Wooltana Street in COMO seems to be right under the flight path of both very large planes taking off from Perth airport and smaller planes flying down to either Jandakot or Mandurah. I have put up with it for years but have had a gutful. Atleast 4 very loud planes went over this morning before 6 AM. I was woken around 5:30AM and they then went through in a steady stream - I counted atleast 4 before 6:00am and then another 4 or so before 6:30am. This is unnacceptable and must change. We either seem to be getting planes flying over up until 1:30am or 2:00am or from very very early in the morning. I've found it very frustrating the entire time I have lived in this house (8 years) but it has become much much worse over the last 3 or 4 years. Either we need a curfew or the flight path needs to be moved or I need to have all my windows retrofitted to double glazing. What can I do to ensure this is stopped? Is there a class action in place I can join against the airports/airlines? Is there a fund I can contribute to to fight a legal case? Sincerely.
To be contacted: Yes
Lee Baldock
# Lee Baldock
Thursday, October 21, 2010 11:36 AM
I have just made a complaint to Airservices Australia:

Complaint submitted at: 21-Oct-2010 1:03 PM
Given Name: Lee
Surname: Baldock
Street: Wooltana Street
Suburb: COMO
State: WA
Date of Concern: 21-Oct-2010
Time of Concern: 5:40 AM
Type of Call: Complaint
Comment: Where I live - Wooltana Street in COMO seems to be right under the flight path of both very large planes taking off from Perth airport and smaller planes flying down to either Jandakot or Mandurah. I have put up with it for years but have had a gutful. Atleast 4 very loud planes went over this morning before 6 AM. I was woken around 5:30AM and they then went through in a steady stream - I counted atleast 4 before 6:00am and then another 4 or so before 6:30am. This is unnacceptable and must change. We either seem to be getting planes flying over up until 1:30am or 2:00am or from very very early in the morning. I've found it very frustrating the entire time I have lived in this house (8 years) but it has become much much worse over the last 3 or 4 years. Either we need a curfew or the flight path needs to be moved or I need to have all my windows retrofitted to double glazing. What can I do to ensure this is stopped? Is there a class action in place I can join against the airports/airlines? Is there a fund I can contribute to to fight a legal case? Sincerely.
To be contacted: Yes
Lee
# Lee
Saturday, October 23, 2010 10:30 PM
Hi,

Can someone from Steve's office please contact me regarding what is being done about this? What can be done about this?

Kind regards

Lee
Julian
# Julian
Monday, November 01, 2010 6:51 PM
Hi,

I would be very interested in discussing a campaign towards getting most importantly a curfew, then look at other options like insulation/compensation agreements. Plus I like your thoughts on a legal case/class action against Air Services Australia Lee.

You have no idea how traumatising the noise is where I live. I already live on a major road artery and that alone is hard enough. Now, I have a constant stream of low flying planes, flying directly across my house. They now fly over at all hours of the day starting from, and I'm not kidding 4:30am until around 2.45am the next day.

The reason I know this is because I rotate a roster at work where I sometimes get home at 1200am in the morning, and these noisy planes keep me up all the time. I can see why this would have adverse health effects, because I'm stressed out an exhausted from lack of quality sleep. It's so heart wrenching when I put my head on my pillow to go to sleep and instantly hear the distant rumble of a commercial plane, just knowing it's about to fly directly over my house. You cannot imagine how stressful and infuriating it is.

If I tested the noise pollution around my area, I'm sure it would be far beyond acceptable. I cannot stress enough how criminal this is. By the way, I have lived in the same house for 15 years and I can tell you, I would have never moved here If I knew it was going to be like this.

My property would be a very hard one to sell now, but governments or other organisations such as Air Services Australia couldn't care less on the impact of their decisions. All they care about is their backpocket. How can they possibly get away with changing the flight paths without properly consulting the affected areas? Oh, maybe because we would have turned around and said NO! In Sydney the flight paths are somewhat evenly distributed around N/S/E and W. We have strict flight paths which make it that much worse in Perth, and do you know why? Because large areas of military and naval airspace are in close proximity to Perth International Airport which cause the planes to stick to the same flight paths day in day out.

I would be very interested in forming a mass petition to have the same luxury as places like Sydney have, a decent curfew on these machines. Let's not let them get away with this atrocity!!

By the way Mr Irons, it's great you allow us to voice our concerns on your website regarding this pressing issue, but I think it would be useful to have a response to some of our comments regarding a curfew etc. Simply voicing our complaints on your website doesn't really carry much stock unless it seems we are actually being heard from you. A response to our comments would be greatly appreciated thank you.

I have also directly complained to Air Services Australia and consequently received back their generic complaint repsonse template. If anyone out there wish to campaign for a curfew etc in Perth, you can contact me at julian_c@iinet.net.au and I'd be happy to get this thing started if one isn't already in the pipeline.
Lee
# Lee
Sunday, November 14, 2010 12:46 AM
Hi Julian,

I 100% agree with your comments.

Where you do you live? What suburb?

Pearce is a problem that obviously needs to be solved. Perth airport is in the wrong place - very bad planning for a growing city. However a bigger problem is the lack of response that's out there at the moment - lack of good communication and information and an actual ACKNOWLEDGEMENT that the sound is loud and at bad hours and getting worse.

Webtrak is in all honesty useless other than as a very simple data gathering tool.

http://www331.webtrak-lochard.com/webtrak/per3

The ladies on the other end of the phone are good at listening but at the end of the day I don't believe there is anything that can be done until we form a group in the same way people brought about the Curfew in Sydney.

Long story short for me is I wish to complain about every single plane that flys overhead on the route over Bentley, Manning, Como etc between 10:30pm and 7:00am. If there is excessive noise in that window then as far as I am concerned my legal rights to Quiet Enjoyment of my property have been breached.

In the same way a neighbours dog barking incecsently or trady cranking up his stereo or tools at 6:00am is an issue I can raise with council and have a ranger come out and use by-laws to protect my Quiet Enjoyment so too should the aircraft noise be addressed and responded too.

Some very informative stats are available.

In 2001 Perth Airport serviced 5,000,000 passengers. Up to August 2010 Perth Airport Serviced 10,000,000 passengers. Double.

Currently Domestic traffice makes up 70% of the 10,000,000 and a good proportion of that is to the mining towns up North, Karratha, Port Hedland etc. For many mines 90% of staff are fly in fly out from Perth - see this for further information.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perth_Airport

I see aircraft noise as a byproduct of the mining industry that uses aircraft to bus it's workers on and off site from Perth.

Just as dust is a managed byproduct of property developing (eg can't do major earthworks in Cockburn Shire from October 1 to March 1 every year) and many many other managed by-products from industry so too should noise be a consideration.

Using a simple handheld decibel meter I have measured many aircraft passing overhead peaking at 75db and 80db regularly. We have upwards of 50 to 75+ large planes passing overhead on some days (not including the Jandakot ones heading South). I get particularly angry with the planes that fly over around 1:30am and 5:30am. That is just RUDE. I don't care who you are flying over 1000's of homes and families at that time of night is flat out disrespectful and as bad - worse in fact - than a hoon doing donuts at the local intersection. Atleast the hoon will be gone in 15 minutes and you can call the Police. The planes never stop - they just get worse and worse.

Perth needs an Airport Noise Insulation Scheme and a Curfew and if not now when? When we get to 12,000,000 passengers a year? 15,000,000 a year? When we in Como/Manning/Salters Point have 100 flights overhead a day? 150 flights overhead a day?

I've reached the point where the straw has broken my back and I am taking action. And it's clear looking back at the stats over the last 10 years traffic has simply increased and increased and increased. Very large increase in the last two years alone.

Sydney got it's curfew in 1995.

People that live a few kms off a flight path can have no idea how hard it can be.

In an effort to make this problem better for me and my family I've recently booked for doubleglazing retrofitted to our bedroom windows and New Thermal and Sound insulation in the roof above our bedrooms. If this doesn't help we will probably move. A very very expensive and unfortunate thing to have to do and one I would rather NOT do.

Where would I move to? Have a look at page 17 of this PDF and pretty much anywhere the lines AREN'T Orange, Red or Yellow.

http://www.airservicesaustralia.com.au/projectsservices/reports/nfpms/2010/PH10Q2.pdf

You can request going back many years from the webmaster of this site.

http://www.airservicesaustralia.com.au/projectsservices/reports/nfpms/nfpmsperth.asp

I did and got data going back to 2001 and the increase in traffic is massive.

Most noteable is how little traffic ran along the path over my house from the airport.

My wife and I are preparing a fact sheet for a solicitor. We'll then attempt to find one to commence a class action/proceedings against the airport.

At the VERY least it will force Air Services Australia to provide better information and more information to me - certainly in answer to many of the questions I have put to them and the Airport which have not been answered to my satisfaction.

Julian I will email you when we find a lawyer willing to take on the case. We will most likely need a mass petition/signup of those interested in gaining more control over the Quiet Enjoyment of their homes.
Lee
# Lee
Sunday, November 14, 2010 12:47 AM
Oh by the way that's 5,000,000 per year up to 10,000,000 per year.
Lee
# Lee
Sunday, November 14, 2010 12:53 AM
I also found this article very interesting:

Aircraft Noise Raises Blood Pressure Even While People Are Sleeping, Says Study

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080213090530.htm

Jodie
# Jodie
Wednesday, November 17, 2010 6:35 PM
Hi Lee, I'm glad to see that there are other people who are noticing this ridiculous situation is just getting worse and worse. We too are looking at having extra insulation and possibly double glazing retrofitted to our 'new' house because of the constant stream of aircraft noise, which as you're all aware, can start anywhere from 5am right through the day....I've had a gutful. It's also a little frustrating when someone like Steve Irons appears to have taken up the cause for his constituents, and gives us an avenue to vent these frustrations and concerns, but then goes MIA! It would be nice to have an update on Steve's website re how he is progressing on this issue. I fail to understand how this could ever have happened - this change in flight paths has had a dramatic effect on some people's lives - the poor unfortunate ones who live underneath these flight paths. I'm not sure how much longer I'll be able to stick it out here to be honest - it would mean a big financial setback for my family to have to move when we've only just completed building, but I'm guessing those wonderful people at Air Services Australia aren't the slightest bit concerned.....I'm interested in hearing any updates re campaigns etc on this.
Julian
# Julian
Saturday, November 20, 2010 9:58 PM
Hi Lee,

Thank you for all your efforts and thorough research on this matter.

I have recently addressed this issue to Mr Irons after directly complaining to the ASA. A copy of the email has been pasted below. I have received some emails from other people now who are definitely keen to sign a petition for a curfew. I am now in the process of organising one but I'm just obtaining some information from a friend who has experience with this type of thing. It may take me a while due to work constraints and other commitments, but I no longer have a choice in the matter except to get this thing going as soon as humanly possible.

I look forward to hearing your progress on finding a lawyer to possibly take up a class action against the ASA. My email again for anyone who wants to contact me is julian_c@iinet.net.au.

Dear Mr Irons,

My name is Julian and I am one of the severely affected residents of Air Services Australia’s decision to change the flight paths back in November 2008.

Since this time, I have personally complained to Air Services Australia with my concerns about their decision to change the flight paths and address my disgust with their abhorrent behavior, arrogance and untrustworthiness by not consulting the public.

I’m sure I received their generic template letter responding to my complaint. I’m also sure my letter of complaint wouldn’t persuade them to voluntarily bring in a curfew either. Whether you are aware or not, I have also posted several blogs on the articles relating to this matter on your website including this one.

To date, I have not heard from you regarding the prospect or support for a curfew which ultimately should be the way to address this problem.

Sadly I cannot dispute the fact that ASA changed the flight paths due to safety reasons as I am not privy to any knowledge relating to air safety in Perth WA. However, if I am to have a constant stream of airplanes now flying directly over my house from around 5:00am to around 2:45am the next day, is it reasonable to say that a curfew should be in place in the late hours of the night and early hours of the morning when most of us residents are trying to sleep?

As you are aware, there are laws in place that prevent people for example, starting their lawn mowers or other loud machinery at unreasonable hours of the morning/night or, construction workers building a house near occupied residential areas. These people in society can be reprimanded by police due to disturbing the peace, so why are planes flying over my house at this time any different? Shouldn’t they also be subjected to such laws when concerning a peaceful nights rest at these hours?

As stated in my blogs on your website, I work a rotating roster which sometimes means I get home at midnight. The last thing I need is multiple jet engines flying across my roof keeping me awake when it is crucial I get rest for my health and well being.

I have lived in Beckenham now for 15 years and I can assure you, this issue is getting worse. I already live on a major road artery where traffic is loud, but I don’t necessarily complain about that because this is the way it’s always been since moving here. The constant steam of commercial airplanes however hasn’t always been here, and the fact a government owned corporation such as ASA can dictate significant changes to peoples lifestyle is simply not acceptable. There is a community expectation that governments and the politicians who constitute governments will protect families from night time intrusion by intolerable aircraft noise.

An insulation scheme in my and many other people’s opinions just won’t suffice. We deserve an air traffic curfew like other major airports around the world including Sydney. We are no different from the residents in Sydney therefore a curfew is the only real solution that needs to be pursued by you and other MPs.

I will add though, we do appreciate the enquiry you have made thus far and the effort to pursue a compensation scheme due to the flawed consultation process by the ASA.

However, I do not feel that travellers should be subject to higher ticket prices or taxes due to government owned corporation’s mistakes. The ASA should personally be liable for compensating residents so they know not to overlook the most important people in their future plans on flight path changes again.

Unfortunately, I can no longer tolerate the aircraft noise that quite honestly causes me significant stress and grief. Consequently, I am now forced and in the process of moving to my partner’s house to simply escape this noise for the sake of my health and sanity. Even though I will be temporarily moving out of your electorate for now, I will still be petitioning for a curfew with other people that are simply fed up.

We would appreciate if you could show your support for such a curfew and also be a contributor or even help us to facilitate such a petition for a curfew.

A response to my email will be greatly appreciated and I look forward to your reply.

Cathy
# Cathy
Monday, November 22, 2010 10:20 AM
I was hoping for a quiet weekend but on Sunday there was no less than 40 aircraft that rumbled over between 7am and 5pm. I go to bed at night with the rumble, I am woken up in the morning with the rumble. This incessant noise is not only an irritant but torture on a long term basis. I am truely fed up with this sound and have to escape to friends or work in a horrible mood because I cannot get a decent nights sleep. Not everyone can afford to move, install double windows, insulation and airconditioning to over come the sound.

Safety, my foot! If safety was their concern they wouldn't be flying over heavily populated areas. Things have fallen off aircraft before and will do so again, aircraft have fallen out of the sky before and will do again. What will it take before they realise this is a legitimate concern - a crash into peoples houses?

Like Julian, I too have not received any reply to my emails. It seems our concerns fall on deaf ears. No one will act on this until election time and then we may stand a chance unless there is a disaster before then.
Marg
# Marg
Monday, November 22, 2010 11:05 PM
Like everyone else I am greatly affected by aircraft noise (Manning). I strongly urge people who have made complaints to ASA to contact the Aircraft Noise Ombudsman, Mr Ron Brent. This is an Australia wide issue (Not only Perth Airport) It will be a very gradual and thorough process. You are right, an Insulation Program will only reduce noise and a curfew is also required. I think Sydney Airport also has a Noise Sharing Scheme, however Sydney Airport still receives complaints from residence. Please read, Judi Moylan (Pearce, Liberal Party) 25/10/2010 House debates. She mentions Hasluck, Swan and Canning. www.openAustralia.org is a good way to keep in touch with House debates.
Marg
# Marg
Tuesday, November 23, 2010 9:26 AM
After last night and this morning! Perth Airport deserves a Curfew regardless of the cost to the economy! User Pays!
Steve Irons
# Steve Irons
Tuesday, November 23, 2010 12:09 PM
Hello to everyone that has been posting on this blog and I appreciate the time you have taken to do so. There have been quite a few requests for contact back so please leave a full name and a phone number and it will make it easier for us to do so.
I'm sure you are all aware that the coalition managed to get a Senate inquiry into the practices of ASA last year and there were recommendations made from that inquiry. Here is a link to that report. http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/rrat_ctte/aircraft_noise/index.htm
One thing that was clear from that inquiry and the work that I and my colleagues Don Randall and Judi Moylan did was that ASA are not going to reverse the changes made from the WARRP.
The insulation scheme that was used in Adelaide included Roof Noise insulation, double glazing and reverse cycle air-conditioning and that has been my initial approach to this issue.
An ombudsman was recently appointed and his role is to listen to the concerns of people affected by aircraft issues.
In a recent forum I asked him if his role was also to recommend solutions because that is what the people of my electorate are looking for. His response was that he initially will listen to the complaints and then progress to making recommendations. I also had a discussion with him about the sharing of flight paths because it has been raised with me by many constituents who accept that we will always have an airport but think that all the flight paths could be scattered evenly around Perth. This issue is not an easy one to address because of restricted air space in Perth due to Defence requirements. I suggest you add the Ombudsman to your email list. His details can be accessed at : www.ano.gov.au
There has been a lot of talk about a curfew and people have said we are the only airport that doesn't have one but that is not correct.
The following detail provides which airports in Australia are currently under curfew restrictions.
Curfews currently apply at Sydney, Adelaide, Coolangatta and Essendon airports under supervision of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government. The rules for the 11pm to 6am curfew at Sydney Airport are laid down in the Sydney Airport Curfew Act 1995. The rules for the 11pm until 6am curfew at Adelaide Airport are laid down in the Adelaide Airport Curfew Act 2000 and the Adelaide Airport Curfew Regulations 2000. Coolangatta Airport has a curfew in operation from 11pm to 6am daily under the Air Navigation (Coolangatta Airport Curfew) Regulations 1999. The rules for the curfew at Essendon Airport are laid down in the Air Navigation (Essendon Airport) Regulations 2001. The dates of these regulations provide an indication of their genesis.
As I have said before a curfew is a last resort and my colleagues and I are still looking at ways to achieve a noise amelioration scheme. The curfew will be difficult to achieve for many reasons one of them being the use of Perth Airport by defence dept and they have to have access 24/7.
Recently a constituent has talked about a petition and class action which is an avenue to pursue but a legal challenge may get tied up in the courts for years but that does not mean it shouldn't be tried.
Where I can, I and my office are happy to assist with the petition and lodge it in Parliament as long as it meets the petition requirements for lodging.
My colleagues and I know people are looking for an immediate solution and feel that this has been dragging on too long. I happen to agree as does the new member for Hasluck Ken Wyatt and we will continue to work on behalf of all our constituents in all our electorates and I do urge you to continue to lodge factual complaints with the ASA complaint number.
Lee
# Lee
Friday, December 03, 2010 11:07 PM
Thanks Steve,

Appreciate your input.

Some questions:

1. Have any of those recommendations actually come to fruition?

Most specifically this one as it relates to the noise ameloration scheme:

Recommendation 8

6.35 The committee recommends Airservices Australia review noise levels over affected areas with a view to offering a noise amelioration scheme compensating residents affected by aircraft noise consistent with that of other Australian capital city airports.
Effectively assessing the impact of aircraft noise

6.36 With regard to Airservices Australia's Environmental Principles and Procedures for Minimising the Impact of Aircraft Noise and whether there are appropriate triggers for review under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), the committee does not share the same confidence as Airservices Australia in their Environment Principles' ability to independently determine the grounds for 'significant impact' and has heard no evidence that it has sought advice on its responsibilities under the EPBC Act 1999.

6.37 In view of the long period of time that has elapsed since the publication was last reviewed (2002), and given Airservices Australia's obligations under section 160 of the EPBC Act 1999, the Environment Principles and Procedures need to more explicitly incorporate reference to the EPBC Act 1999. In addition, the processes and methodology outlined should be developed in consultation with the Commonwealth Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts and be consistent with best practice in assessing the impact of new or increased aircraft noise.

http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/rrat_ctte/aircraft_noise/report/c06.htm#anc4

2. What's the process to have a petition lodged with you? How many signatories do you need? Can you assist in mail out costs or delivery costs?

Lee
# Lee
Friday, December 03, 2010 11:14 PM
3. How can we go about getting a sound meter installed in the Como/Manning/Waterford/Salters Point are - somewhere around the Manning Primary school or James Miller Oval would be my pick.

4. Have you got a timeframe for an actual answer - whether it be yes or no - on when an Airport Noise Insulation Scheme like that in Adelaide would be implemented?

Kind regards

Lee
Lee
# Lee
Friday, December 03, 2010 11:54 PM
Hi Julian and others,

I feel your pain. It must be terrible closer in to the airport as it's gotten very bad here in Como and we are 11kms from the Airport.

Sorry I haven't responded sooner. Been very busy with work and life and I had ordered the insulation and doubleglazing. I had the insulation installed yesterday over our bedrooms and 2 windows doubleglazing retrofit (Magnetite).

I also tried hypnotherapy to try to not be affected as much by the aircraft noise and I was/am getting so anxious about sleep and being woken by the planes and am having to use Restavit or Valerian to help me sleep. The hypnotherapy hasn't worked.

We've been using our air-con on fan most nights as all our windows are closed and it also helps to block out the noise/rumble of the planes. Expensive but what else can you do???

We've lived here 10 years - house was new when we bought it so it's not the most unsoundproof house in the world. But the insulation used in the roof wasn't very good (thermoducks which have ruptured and degraded and are now just a thin layer of cool'n'cosy)

The new insulation I got is Tontine Thermal rating of 4.0 AND another layer of Tontine Sound which also has the added benefit of an extra Thermal rating of 2.0.

The magnetite is excellent so I decided to go ahead with the last 3 windows. We have 4 in our main bedroom and one in my son's bedroom.

It's very expensive so I didn't want to go ahead with it until I was certain it looked good and was effective.

It is both BUT you need to ensure all windows are properly soundproofed.

Anyway I've ordered the rest and they will come on the 15th of December.

Anyway I've been holding off commenting because I wanted to talk about my experience of getting some Airport Noise Insulation of my OWN installed at my expense.

Bearing in mind I still have 2 more windows to double glaze in the bedroom but these are still pretty soundproofed windows already (I got the worse two done first).

The way my wife and I are looking at it is that it's:

A: The only thing we can control to do quickly ourselves

B: If it works well excellent - we can stay put and it's MUCH cheaper than moving.

C: If it doesn't work it will add value to the house anyway.

But unfortunately at this stage I have to say the soundproofing effort I've implemented myself hasn't made much difference at all to the sound.

I think the only way would be to spend literally $15,000 or more on a very focused custom roof insulation job that got right into all the eaves and facias and even covered vents and lights.

As I said we've been using the aircon at night - last night I woke up at 3:00 and turned it off. 3:30am and then 3:33am two big ones went over - very loud. So that was disappointing for me. Hopefully when the other two windows go on it will make it a bit better. I don't think so because there are gaps at the very edges of the roof at the facia of the roof where there is no insulation where the sound can come straight in.

I think the only way to effectively sound proof your home would be to build it from scratch with that in mind OR spend a lot of money upgrading/renovating it to meet all of the requirements in this document:

http://www.planning.wa.gov.au/Publications/20.aspx

Aircraft Noise Insulation for Residential Development in the Vicinity of Perth Airport

Long story short. Cheaper to move off the flightpaths.

We are really busy right now with work but we will find a suitable lawyer and get them briefed ASAP - most likely in the new year.

Now I don't know how the curfews were gained in those Airports it was gained in but I guarantee you it wasn't just given benevolently by the Airport Authority ... "oh these planes are so noisy at 3:00am lets put a curfew on it" yeh right.... The people MUST have asked for it. We just need to do the same in Perth. It's a man-made problem with a man-made solution. Perth is not special or different because of it's location - every city has it's long haul flights into it and out of it with times that have to worked out. We're a growing city and at some point it will HAVE to be addressed.

Everyone I speak to agrees with the need for a curfew - ironically the people that work at the airport who I have spoken to are the biggest advocates. They HATE working at 2:00am or 3:30am for flights.

I think a 3 pronged approach.

A legal route demanding more action from ASA/Govt for some sort of consequence and result.

A letter drop/marketing campaign to increase awareness of the fact that ASA even EXISTS and you can complain online which can hopefully increase the number of complaints.

Petition up and running which we can give to Steve.

Long story short this is a man-made problem and can be un-made. It's not serving us and it needs to change.

It must be sooo nice to live out at Hillarys or somewhere like that. No planes or extremely few that are quite high up. You could leave your windows open at night and get the cool breeze and listen to the traffic noise.

Traffic noise is NOTHING compared to planes! :)

Kind regards

Lee
Lee
# Lee
Sunday, December 05, 2010 12:22 AM
Just need to stress that I live at the very bottom of Como just North of Manning Road pretty much directly under the path the planes take off runway N21 as they travel West before turning North. Wilson, Bentley, Waterford, Karawarra, Manning, Salters Point and the bottom of Como cop it big time now from takeoffs. Even Applecross is getting it as well. See the flightpath PDF link I posted above for really good info on flight paths. I reckon the more North upper part of Como wouldn't get much traffic.
Marg
# Marg
Sunday, December 05, 2010 8:56 AM
Hi Lee,

We need to meet. Are you a member of Manning CA? I am!

Cheers Marg.
Lee Baldock
# Lee Baldock
Monday, December 06, 2010 5:43 PM
Hi Marg,

No but I can be.

Planes are very very bad at the moment. Not sure if it's a lot of traffic or a slight route deviation. Guessing it's just more traffic.

Steve - something really really has to be done about this. More information needs to be disseminated to those affected. What is being done? What can be done? What sort of compensation can we ask for? What steps are being taken to address this issue? Why has it gotten so bad so quickly from 2008 onwards? What can WE (the affected) do?

Kind regards

Lee
Lee Baldock
# Lee Baldock
Monday, December 06, 2010 5:49 PM
And why isn't there a decibel/sound meter in the Manning area? There are numerous under all the other flight paths but not us which is one of the 5 main takeoff paths?
Joe
# Joe
Wednesday, December 08, 2010 5:40 PM
Hi Guys. The increased aircraft noise is chronically affecting me as well. I've lived in Wilson for the past 5 years and the sudden change in 2008 was very obvious. I complained recently and just got the generic reply. It also seems to be getting much more frequent. I'm quite sure that ASA is liable for some damages. You can't just plan changes like this, ignore public opinion and impose so much disruption on peoples lives. If I had known of the new flight paths I would have avoided Wilson. They didn't tell anyone and hoped to keep all this under the radar.
Lee
# Lee
Thursday, December 09, 2010 9:34 AM
Hi Joe,

Yeh it's the pits hey. Really really terrible. So upsetting and frustrating especially as it feels like there is nothing we can do and those a suburb over from us can feel none of it and have no idea what the problem is.

It's government sanctioned noise pollution, sleep deprivation and torture. Those are the same planes hitting us in Manning/Lower Como.

We all have to complain on Webtrak every single day. I know it sucks but so far it's the only mechanism in place for us to complain. And of course if we don't complain on that platform then the bean counters in Canberra will assume there is nothing wrong. Which is of course WRONG.

There are a few people around agitating but not really getting anywhere yet. What we need is a concerted effort similar to the www.fairskies.com.au group in the hills with mass communication, mail outs, increased public awareness of webtrak and legal consultation.

In the new year a couple of us will be forming a group similar to fairskies.com.au but for the suburbs in the Swan Electorate that are well off the runway and are being affected by this "full throttle" Westerly flight path - namely Como, Manning, Wilson, Waterford, Bentley, Salters Point etc. We'll keep you posted on this as we will need all the support we can get.

Ultimately we will be fighting for:

A. A move of the flight path and if not that then:

B. A curfew like Coolangatta, Sydney and Adelaide from 11:00am to 7:00am (6:00am shoulder period).

C. Distributed flight paths - so instead of taking off and then banking hard West over Wilson, Waterford and Manning they could take a different route - say a suburb further South banking West at Ferndale and then head west over Riverton, Shelley and Rossmoyne or another suburb South to Parkwood then West over Willeton, Bateman, annd Mount Pleasant.

That is what happens in Sydney and is FAIR as then everyone cops their share of the noise.

Take a look at the difference between Perth's 2010 Quarter 2 Air Services Australia Quarterly Report Jet Takeoffs page 17:

http://www.airservicesaustralia.com/projectsservices/reports/nfpms/2010/PH10Q2.pdf

and Sydney's 2010 Quarter 2 Air Services Australia Quarterly Report Jet Takeoffs page 17:

http://www.airservicesaustralia.com/projectsservices/reports/nfpms/2010/SY10Q2.pdf

Obviously Sydney has a lot more traffic BUT they got their Curfew and flight path sharing in 1995 when they had a similar amount of traffic to us now.

D. Airport Noise Insulation Scheme as per Sydney which is where an airport is leviable and each ticket pays say $10 towards a fund and people can get access that fund to have their houses insulated against sound. But this must work in conjunction with a Curfew and a Flight Sharing scheme AND it's usually only beneficial for people living very close to the airport or right under the takeoff path. People like us in Manning/Como (11kms away as the crow flies) who are well off the flight path will be unlikely to get the Airport Noise Insulation Scheme. Even though the planes are just as loud here as they are if you stand at the Bunnings opposite Carousel.

E: We also need more noise monitoring terminals (NMTs) as it's impossible to prove noise and noise events to the bean counters without the data.

I've bought a noise monitor recently and will be installing it on my roof plugged into a small laptop in my garage to monitor the noise events as it will be the best proof I can get for the number, duration and intensity of the sounds. They are in the air a long time. A car going past is usually gone quite quick and even at it's loudest (say a V8 with it's muffler altered at full revs) is usually gone quickly. The planes are almost as loud as that and just keep coming. Some of them have a very disturbing whine to them as well.

I've also recently bought ear plugs which work BUT I can't hear my 4 yr old when he calls in the night and they hurt and are uncomfortable.

F: Damages in the form of compensation. House values will be affected. Health is affected (I have had to go on anti-anxiety medication and need to use herbal sleep tablets every night). Compensation to move house. We recently renovated our house starting in 2008 just around when the planes cranked up big time. It's terrible we have to consider moving.

Sleep deprivation is a form of torture.

I think there are a huge amount of people very upset about it this but with no way to channel their opinion. I've talked to many people who aren't computer users or simply are too busy but they are very angry.

Anyway. I'm up early cause I was woken at 4:51am by a loud jet - took off my ear plugs cause they were hurting and what's the first thing - nnnnnnnnnnnnggggggggggggggrrrooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrgrrrrrummmmmbbblllle.

How ANYONE could think it's fair to run planes between 11:00pm and 6:00/7:00am is unfathomable to me. ESPECIALLY as we have curfew precedents in other Australian cities! Are the people in Perth different to Adelaide or Sydney or Coollangatta? NO!

How ANYONE could think it's fair to run planes on the same path night after night after night so the same people cop them night after night is unfathomable to me.


Lee
# Lee
Thursday, December 09, 2010 9:52 PM
By well off the flight path I mean well away from the runway. 12 or so kms from the airport and the flight path goes virtually straight overhead.
Lee
# Lee
Wednesday, December 15, 2010 12:04 PM
Just wanted to comment on Steve's comment above about the Defence force needing the airport 24/7. That's fine. What we want a curfew for is commercial planes. The odd military aircraft is nothing compared to the 12+ Commercial jet planes that flew over Manning/Lower Como this morning between 5:15am and 6:00am.
Su Longjohn
# Su Longjohn
Tuesday, January 11, 2011 11:43 AM
Steve

I live in Nedlands and the gradual saturation over western suburbs of north-bound flights is evident in Air Services Australia quarterly reports since 2007. There is no doubt that residents in suburbs adjacent the airport have had their amenity serverely damaged, but many others beneath recently developed flight paths are also now suffering significant noise pollution. The owners of Perth airport have a duty of care and as a minimum would best attend to the insulation program as comprehensively set out in 2004 by the WA Department of Planning (http://www.planning.wa.gov.au/Publications/20.aspx).

Instead all we read is that Perth airport will soon expand for economic reasons. All well and good but if the people are suffering so will the economy (stupid)! Will pending class action be the source of remedy or could the government act to remedy the neglect and attend to the public interest and wellbeing - also for the benefit of the economy?
Julian
# Julian
Monday, January 24, 2011 7:16 PM
Hi Lee and fellow affected residents,
I have now finally moved and settled in to my new place away from the screaming unrelenting “commercial” planes flying across my roof night after night. I have to say, I had the biggest sigh of relief the first night in my new residence knowing that I would not hear one single plane flying across my roof from 10:30pm up until 2:45am the next day. Mr Irons, this is what I have resorted to due to the lack of action taken in regards to Air Services Australia’s deceitful conduct by changing the flight paths with NO public consultation. This you need to make note of.

Firstly, we have not had any further updates concerning an “insulation scheme” and secondly your tone against the curfew in my opinion is very disappointing. I get the feeling from your blog last year November 23rd that you don’t fully understand your constituent’s anger and frustration with what transpired from November 2008 onwards. To get a better idea, why don’t you temporarily stay under the busiest areas of the flight path so you can experience the true nature of the noise we affected residents endure night after night? Then maybe you will be more willing to pursue a curfew on our behalf?

Even though I am no longer in the area where I was tortured by noise pollution, I still strongly believe that a petition needs to be formed and sent to parliament, hopefully with the endorsement of Mr Irons, so we can have peace in the dead of the night. I would like to think that one day I can move back into my family home and have a peaceful nights rest without the disgustingly loud noise emitted from the commercial airliners.

I could very well do this petition on my own, but I would like the input from other affected residents out there too. If anyone out there wishes to join in the effort to form and write up a petition, please either leave a message outlining your interest and contact details on this website or email me at julian_c@iinet.net.au and we’ll try to organise a get together. This injustice needs to end now, because justice isn’t just magically going to happen for us by our RE-present-ative government. If we don’t exercise our rights here, we will lose them.

Julian
Margaret Major
# Margaret Major
Saturday, February 19, 2011 9:38 AM
Hi Julian,

I am seeing too many people selling their homes in Manning due to Aircraft Noise. I have just spent $30,000 on our new home to insulate, our current home I consider uninhabitable due to changes WARRP made. ASA/Gov should be insulating now with curfew.

Should Brisbane Airport receive a Curfew, where will Air X Asia, China Air and others fly into - Perth I would imagine.

Read Article The West Australian Firday 18/2/2011 Page 9 Warning on airport 'bottlenect' Geoffrey Thomas Aviation Editor

Margaret Major
Margaret Major
# Margaret Major
Tuesday, March 22, 2011 7:27 AM
btbmaj4@bigpond.com your comments are welcome.
Ray
# Ray
Wednesday, April 20, 2011 3:38 PM
Hello fellow sufferers,
The situation in the eastern suburbs is atm certainly not acceptable and ONLY based on arrogance and perhaps even lies. First and foremost, it is not necessary.
1. The existing flightpaths that criss cross the Perth Metropolitan area are a scandal and simply not necessary. They are justified purely with economic reasons to save fuel on approaching or departing from the airport. Instead, one route to the north and one to the south would suffice (the short crossing runway is another matter). Turning points could be north of Bullsbrook or south of Baldivis.
This is only a matter of the will to put residents' interest over immediate economic interests to save fuel.
2. Perhaps even a bigger scandal is that Perth Airport has no curfew. Sydney has a curfew and is the biggest airport in Australia. Curfews are normal in many cities with big airports all over the world. So why not in Perth?

We must do more!
Ray
Alex Frame
# Alex Frame
Friday, May 06, 2011 6:38 PM
Hello My name is Alex Frame, I live in Gardiner Street Belmont, in the middle of the 25-30 ANEC zone, for years I have put up with the noise nuisance from the aircraft, both landing and taking off over my property, but now it is starting to really annoy me. and no one cares about doing anything about the nuisance noise,
several airports around Australia have recognised the need to compensate people living under these flight paths, buy making there life a bit more bearable by insulating their homes to keep out the noise as much as possible, but for some reason Perth residents miss out again especially those in the line of the east/west runway,

when the aircraft flies over my house, whether taking off or landing the noise is so intense that I cannot hear the television or I have to stop a conversation till the aircraft passes

Sitting in my living watching TV the noise level is between 40 - 45 db
when the aircraft go over head I'll give you some examples

Friday 6/5/2011

time;
16.26...85.8db
16.30...78.2db
16.35...73.8db
16.40...79.8db
16.46...76.4db
16.48...81.4db
16.53...78.6db
16.58...76.8db....these readings were taken with a new noise level meter situated in my living room approximately 4 meters from any open doors and with all the windows closed,

I really feel enough is enough and action must be taken by the authorities to make amends in someway to address this complaint.

regards, Alex Frame..

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Sue
# Sue
Wednesday, August 10, 2011 8:23 PM
Steve, we have been conned by Air Services Australia. I live in East Victoria Park. In January we received a letter for ASA advising us that a temporary runway was to be used while a main runway was being upgraded. The estimated time of the works was 3 months.

The use of that temporary runway continued until July. Flight traffic was decidedly busy and horribly noisy especially between the hourse of 12am - 2.30am and starting again around 4.45am with planes approaching for a 5am landing. The planes as close as 15 minutes apart. Even earplugs don't give relief.

More recently I noticed that the air traffic wasn't every night but seems to be occurring on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Friday's over my neighbourhood. I also read in the papers recently that ASA have distributed air traffic over multiple run ways now.

So we were definitely conned. Instead of sticking to the runways they always used they have upgraded and installed more runways in a very sneaky way.

What laws apply to governments who just do what they want. Do I have any legal rights in relation to my loss of quiet enjoyment of my neighbourhood and in particular the deprivation of sleep.
Had to move
# Had to move
Wednesday, August 31, 2011 8:38 AM
Hi Sue and everyone here. It's all about WIND and FLIGHTS.

There a flight times and obviously busier periods (ie. morning flights from about 5:15 am to 7:30am taking the miners to work up at Karratha etc) but at the end of the day the planes must take off into the wind and land into the wind or as close to it as possible. I used this website every day when I lived in the lower part of Como/Manning.

http://www.windfinder.com/forecast/perth_airport - go to Forecast.

I was able to predict precisely when I would get planes or not. The planes flying over the lower part of Como and Manning are flying to the North but they take off from the lower end of the long North/South runway and they then fly over Waterford, Manning to then turn North further towards Cottesloe. Basically whenever the wind is from the South, South West or South East planes take off from the Southern End of the runway then do a big U-TURN taking them over manning, como, applecross etc.

When the winds are from the South, South West or South East planes fly that route (over LOWER Como, Manning, Applecross).

Remember MIDDLE COMO also gets flights landing or taking off from the smaller East/West runway. These impact on Belmont and Vic Park etc.

Look CLOSELY at a map of the surrounding areas to the airport.

http://maps.google.com.au/maps?hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=WVE&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&q=belmont+perth+map&gs_upl=1993l2983l0l3154l6l6l0l0l0l4l301l1378l2-4.1l5l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&biw=1963&bih=1078&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x2a32bb8fecef6dc3:0x504f0b535df3fb0,Belmont+WA&gl=au&ei=J3ldTuuIMYLqrAfe1f2iDw&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CBgQ8gEwAA

Read this:

http://www.airservicesaustralia.com/aviationenvironment/noise/perth.asp

Read the latest one of these:

http://www.airservicesaustralia.com/projectsservices/reports/nfpms/nfpmsperth.asp

Work out what winds will bring planes over your house for the routes you can clearely see in the maps in the link above:

http://www.windfinder.com/forecast/perth_airport

Become familiar with flights and flight times.

THEN. Realise the airport doesn't care (they want MORE flights). Realise that soundproofing your home is impractical and expensive and doesn't work. Realise that politicians can't do anything. Realise that Air Services Australia, Darren Olson and Ron Brent can do NOTHING. Realise that the only thing you can do is get out before your house values plummet OR put up with it.

Perth will never get a curfew - it's too isolated a city.

Basically your only option (as was mine) is to move. Trust me. Since moving to an area with no planes I sleep so well now. Normal issues with kids and the odd night of a bad sleep but I'm not getting woken up in the middle of the night 3 or 4 times and then from 5:15am not getting a stream of loud planes. I see planes in the distance very high up and am thankful I moved. And sad I had to leave where we lived.

Just be thankful councils aren't putting this information on titles. Once it is who will want to buy into these areas? Not me.

People simply have no idea what it's like. They think you are a whinger. But when they live under it they understand.

Do they care?
# Do they care?
Friday, September 16, 2011 8:31 PM
Hi had to move,

Good to see you keepping in touch and people informed, yep the titles will come ... I suspect it is already being implemented in Guildford. Manning is about to get an Air traffic noise monitor ... I would presume once noise levels are identified notification will go on titles!
Long Haul
# Long Haul
Saturday, October 29, 2011 11:41 PM
Terrible stuff all this noise. Funny how in two years of people posting comments here regarding noise issues has only resulted in more flights straight over us!!! Talk about a long haul.

even funnier that from the 1000's of effected people only a handful whinge about it. Some refer to ASA - if they changed a flight path because two people asked them to, we wouldn't have flight paths! Everyone of you on this south west to north flight path need to complain long and loud! They can change the flight paths but won't if all of us don't ask them to!!!

Get out in your community and tell everyone to ring ASA on 1800 802 584 or email them at ncis@airservicesaustralia.com and get up the mongrels!!!
Lee
# Lee
Thursday, November 10, 2011 1:42 PM
For anyone wanting to know when flights will be flying over Manning/BOTTOM of Como taking off from the bottom end of the main/big runway I have highlighted the in yellow when the wind direction will be in such a way that planes will take off from the Southern End of the runway and then fly over Manning to head North - this blog doesn't allow for HTML so just cut and paste the link to your browser

[IMG]http://i42.tinypic.com/v4y0sn.jpg[/IMG]

http://i42.tinypic.com/v4y0sn.jpg

You are in for a very noisy week this week. Good luck I feel your pain.
Pauline
# Pauline
Thursday, December 08, 2011 6:11 PM
Over the last few months I have noticed an increasing amount of air traffic over my house in the 6am to 7am slot. This morning (8/12) there were 35 planes flying directly over or very close to my house. 35!!!

I know that if I complain to WAC they will say they're just trying to clear the backlog from the recent electical storms. So I picked another day at random to check - on 29/11. Again, 35 planes with a flight path either directly over or very close to my house in that hour slot from 6am. Often the noise is so loud it's impossible to have a conversation or hear the radio.

I have lodged complaints with Air Services Australia but nothing happens if lodging a complaint via email, or if by phone I'm generally told "That's no good dear, is it. But we can't help with that."

And I see that they have now removed the Noise Monitoring Terminal out of Kewdale and moved it further away. Why? I imagine so the readings are better for the reports.

Enough is enough. Something needs to be done to make Perth Airport be responsible citizens and put some protocols in place to lessen the noise intrusion.
chris
# chris
Thursday, January 19, 2012 11:24 AM
Well Im going to add to this in 2012, I bought in kewdale (in a pcoket not in the flight path) in 2007 checked all the flight paths and visited the site on numerous occassions before I bought. I was happy with the noise levels back then. We built our house and moved in, in 2009, yep the occassional plane could be seen and heard but nothing irritating and life was good. suddenly in 2010/2011 they did maintenence to the runways (apperently this happens every so many years) and planes were banking right over my house... WTF some investigation and was told this was short term and planes would return to original flight paths. Well it is true that they stopped flying directly over my house but now seems to be flying closer than ever and I get them flying over constantly. I have two children who are being woken up 5am in the morning I hear them from 11pm onwards and cant sleep. Its true it causes anxiety! for some reason the Airport seems to be able to treat us and the WA public like a piece of meat! I would not have bought here had I have known this I have held on to hope it will get better but seems to be getting worse and worse. Flight paths should be moved back to pre 2008 because people living in those areas knew what they were buying into and for us that researched and bought because there were no direct flight paths suddenly we have to be subjected to it day in day out. It appears no one in influence has the ticker to act on behalf of the people. I know of a mutliple of people who feel this way. Anyway if people have formed a group I would be keen to be apart of it.
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