Land use planning and development compatibility controls near airports help minimise the impact of aircraft noise on people living in surrounding communities:
“The number of people affected by aircraft noise is dependent on the way in which the use of land surrounding an airport is planned and managed, and in particular the extent to which residential development and other noise-sensitive activities are controlled” (ICAO).
There are three key land use planning instruments:
- Planning instruments control development in accordance with its compatibility with airport operations, and seek to minimise the extent to which the local community is exposed to aircraft noise. This is the basis of Australia’s Aircraft Noise Exposure Forecast (ANEF) system
- Mitigating instruments are noise mitigation measures, ranging from mandated noise insulation by local planning authorities for new homes that fall inside designated noise contours, through to the acquisition of existing properties
- Financial instruments can involve a noise insulation fund to support property owners to mitigate noise impacts, or the application of broader noise-related airport charges to fund an insulation program or to incentivise aircraft operators to progressively renew their fleets with new generation, quieter aircraft.
Pillar 2 at Sydney Airport
Planning instruments
To minimise the new development of sensitive uses in noise affected areas surrounding the airport, Sydney Airport has published its updated ANEF (as part of Master Plan 2039) and works closely with the NSW Government and Local Governments in relation to land use planning controls.
Mitigation instruments
Mitigation instruments include the use of preferential runways and flight paths, as well as jet noise abatement operational procedures (NAOPs) to be used by pilots during take-off, approach and landing, to minimise noise during aircraft operations in the vicinity of an airport. Sydney Airport implements NAOPs to minimise noise impacts in areas around Sydney Airport and / or under flight paths. Airservices Australia conducts regular reviews to check the effectiveness of NAOPs and to seek improvements.
Some local planning authorities require noise insulation to be included in new homes they approve that fall within designated noise contours.
Financial instruments
There are currently no financial instruments operating at Sydney Airport in relation to aircraft noise mitigation.
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