Flight path backlash forces route rethink

AIRSERVICES Australia says it will review its new Hobart airport flight path after community protest in the state’s southeast.

A change to flight paths into Tasmania’s capital came into effect on September 14 and has resulted in up to 30 planes a day flying over Boomer Bay, Dunalley and other towns.

A petition is calling on Federal Transport Minister Darren Chester to pressure Airservices Australia to revert to the previous flight pattern until a “proper” public consultation process is carried out.

We do understand that planes have got to fly somewhere but there must be a better way.

Residents said the aviation changes — in which passenger and freight planes fly over from 3am — had the potential to negatively affect lifestyles, property values, tourism, agriculture and health.

A formal complaint also has also been made to the Federal Aircraft Noise Ombudsman.

Boomer Bay resident David Patman said the community welcomed Tasmania’s tourism surge, but the changes were impacting on the very environment which attracted visitors to his area.

“We do understand that planes have got to fly somewhere, but there must be a better way,” Mr Patman said.

Even more planes will share the air space once the Hobart airport runway extension opens in March next year.

Airservices Australia yesterday said while aircraft noise on flight paths was inevitable, it would review the changes to see if there were safe and feasible alternatives to reduce the impact on residents.

Marion Bay’s Nick Wood,

4whose business was lost in the region’s 2013 bushfires, was about to embark on a new tourism venture but said he was now reconsidering due to the noise problem.

“It has been hard enough without large planes shattering our tranquillity without any warning,” Mr Wood said.

“This new route is a major loss to this tranquil area.”

The issue was raised in Canberra this week by federal Lyons MP Brian Mitchell, who said the level of consultation was obviously inadequate.

Airservices Australia said the flight path changes were made to organise aircraft movements on to standard routes and Hobart City and Sorell councils were consulted.

“Previously, each aircraft was given an individual heading by air traffic control,” it said.

“As traffic volumes continue to increase it becomes more complex for air traffic controllers to deal with each aircraft individually this way.

“When making flight path changes, we work with the relevant airport’s Community Aviation Consultation Group.

“Airservices provided briefings to the Hobart CACG at its last two meetings.

“Through these forums representatives of the councils of Sorell, Clarence and Hobart City were informed of the changes.”