By Laura Wakely
RESIDENTS concerned about noisy, low-flying planes are encouraged to make their views heard at a meeting next week.
Chair of Melbourne Airport’s Community Aviation Consultation Group (CACG) Darrell Treloar said residents were welcome to submit their concerns and ask questions at a meeting at the airport on Tuesday 21 February.
The CACG was formed last year to address issues like noise, the impact of airport development and the release of land for residential use around the airport.
“The work of the group is really to advise and provide support to Melbourne Airport to ensure that the airport is sustainable into the future,” Mr Treloar said.
“When we say sustainable, it’s about ensuring there are good relations between the airport and the local community.”
Sunshine Residents and Ratepayers Association (SunRRA) President Darlene Reilly said a jumbo jet flew over her home last month, shaking the entire house.
“It was like a plane landing on the house,” Ms Reilly said.
“I’ve never seen one that low – it blocked out the whole sky. It was frightening.”
An Airservices spokesperson told Star the plane was a Boeing 747-400 and was at the appropriate height as it made its descent to Melbourne Airport.
“The aircraft was on a gradual descent, consistent with a normal visual approach, and was recorded at 1594 feet above mean sea level over the suburb of Sunshine,” the spokesperson said.
Keilor Residents and Ratepayers Association (KRRA) president Susan Jennison said she had also complained to Airservices after a plane in December flew so noisily over her home that it seemed to be “coming through the window”.
For more information about the Melbourne Airport’s Community Aviation Consultation Group visit www.melbourneairport.com.au
