Fury at flight path noise

Peninsula communities complain about racket at night

SORELL Mayor Kerry Vincent wants better public consultation over changes to flight paths, after a community protest on the Forestier Peninsula.

Airservices Australia made the changes into Hobart from September 14, resulting in up to 50 planes a day flying over Boomer Bay, Dunalley and other towns, but has already agreed to review the decision

Residents said the changes, in which passenger and freight planes fly over from 3am, had the potential to affect lifestyles, property values, tourism, agri- culture and health, and petitioned federal Transport Minister Darren Chester and the federal Aircraft Noise Ombudsman.

Airservices Australia said last week the changes were made to organise aircraft movements on to standard routes, but it would review whether there were safe, feasible alternatives. The review is expected to take weeks.

Cr Vincent said he understood the safety reasons and agreed some form of standardisation was needed, but he had received about a dozen complaints and “assertive” emails from residents.

“There still needs to be more public consultation with this,” he said.

“I don’t think [Airservices] rely on public consultation. It’s not so much the changes, it’s the concentration into certain areas.”

An Airservices Australia spokeswoman said the Hobart, Sorell and Clarence councils were told of the changes at two Community Aviation Consultation Group meetings.

However, she said community concerns were being considered as part of the review into alternatives.

“The review will take several weeks and we will keep stakeholders updated,” she said.

A Hobart Airport spokesman said the decision on flight paths was the responsibility of Airservices Australia.

“We encourage affected residents to continue to work with Airservices Australia to ensure community interests are aligned with air traffic safety requirements in Tasmania,” the spokesman said.

Changes to flight paths to and from the airport last month see flights descend to about 5000 feet over Kellevie, Copping, Marion Bay, Boomer Bay and Dunalley.

Alterations for departing planes included an increase of flights near Primrose Sands and more aircraft flying over Connellys Marsh. One further change was an increase in departing flights directly over the Campania area.