The official report hasn’t landed yet, but word around Brookie is that your voices made a difference. The proposed over water trial and movement of the departures back onto greenspace in particular, appears to be a direct result of strong community pushback. Let’s keep the momentum going!
Why Am I Hearing More Planes?
New flight paths were introduced in
Brisbane in 2020, when a second runway at Brisbane Airport was launched. Most
people noticed as the airport recovered from COVID. Archerfield flights are also louder; their altitudes were lowered to accommodate Brisbane Airport's flight paths. For many households the
noise has become unrelenting.
Which Airports Impact Me?
Our community hears flights from Brisbane Airport, Archerfield Airport and RAAF Base Amberley.
How Many Flights Do They Have A Year?
Brisbane Airport had 173,426 flight movements in 2020 compared to 212,956 in 2024; that’s a 22.8% increase
Archerfield Airport clocked 211, 610 flights in FY24 alone.
Will It Get Worse?
Definitely. Brisbane Airport plan to reach 380,000 flights annually within the next 10 to 15 years, marking a 78% increase from current levels. Crikey.
The airport can handle 963,600 flights a year and plan to become the 'Aerotropolis' of Australia.
Definition? An airport with a city attached.
Why Do Flights Change With The Winds?
Planes need to take off into the wind for safety. Flight Paths in Brisbane are governed by 2 wind directions only;
-either blowing mostly from the North (we get arrivals) or alternatively,
-blowing mostly from the
South (we get departures).
One of these paths is usually in play in our community. Ouch!
How
Many Flights Do I Hear Now?
That depends on your exact location. Many in our community already hear over 162 flights daily (Brisbane Airport) and hundreds
more each
week to & from Archerfield Airport.
Some of our community hear either the Arrivals Path or alternatively the departures path
Some hear both, resulting in noise day and night, at a decibel level that exceeds the World Health Organisation's standards.
How Far Does Aircraft Noise Travel?
Loud and intrusive aircraft noise can travel up to approximately 5 km on either side of a flight path. In general, the lower and larger the aircraft - and the closer you are to the flight path - the louder the noise will be. Our community is particularly affected by large widebody aircraft flying to and from international destinations. These planes often operate at low altitudes, making them extremely loud—well above the noise levels recommended by the World Health Organization.
Who Is Impacted Near Me?
Brookie,
Upper Brookie, Kenmore Hills, Kenmore, Chapel Hill, Pullenvale & Pinjarra
Hills are among the most impacted communities in Brisbane. Many residents are
already affected by 14 flight paths.
Is It Just Me?
No. Complaints across Brisbane became so
overwhelming that Airservices Australia (Federal Government body) were forced to
launch a ‘Noise Action Plan for Brisbane’ to reduce the impacts.
Weekdays are far busier than weekends, so if you aren't noticing much noise you are probably not home on weekdays.
Who Designs The Flight Paths
Airservices Australia originally designed the flight paths for Brisbane. They, along with their consultants Trax International, are currently implementing proposed adjustments as part of the Noise Action Plan for Brisbane.
Local residents are already experiencing disrupted sleep due to noise from international and domestic jets.
Many community members can no longer leave their windows open because of the constant aircraft noise.
Research indicates that children attending schools near flight paths face difficulties with concentration and often have poorer learning outcomes.
Health concerns related to air and noise pollution were formally raised during a Senate Inquiry into aircraft noise in Brisbane last year.
For residents who rely solely on tank water for drinking, contamination is a serious issue — tests in our community have shown the presence of pollutants.