Airport’s move in noise wrangle

A LAWYER for the Cairns Airport has foreshadowed a move that could bring about the end of a legal wrangle over what an Aeroglen resident has described as “unbearable noise and air pollution” from the airport’s general aviation section.

For years, the Aeroglen Residents Committee had raised concerns with the airport on behalf of residents of the suburb, claiming residents were “bombarded” with air and noise pollution.

Resident Gordon Sheard is seeking orders through the Planning and Environment Court that the airport ensure operations at the leased areas of general aviation and the Eastern Run-up Bay comply with state noise regulations.

But lawyers for the airport said their client had other ideas.

MacDonnell’s Law solicitor Nathanial Trappett told the court that while the parties had been corresponding, separately, the airport had obtained advice from counsel earlier in the week.

“It’s based on that advice that our client intends to make an application in the proceedings for summary dismissal of the matter, and effectively our client is just seeking an adjournment to allow that to occur,” Mr Trappett said.

Addressing Mr Sheard, Judge Dean Morzone QC said: “Well that’s not good news, is it?”

“No, it’s not, Your Honour,” Mr Sheard said.

The court heard the airport was seeking time to gather documents to provide to Mr Sheard for consideration.

Judge Morzone adjourned the matter to be reviewed on October 1.