By ALESHA CAPONE
PILOTS at Melbourne Airport have been warned to try and avoid turning early while flying over Keilor and St Albans, following resident protests.
Brimbank suburbs lodged almost 60 complaints and queries about airport noise with Airservices Australia between October to December 2013.
Keilor accounted for more than 30 noise notifications, followed by St Albans on four and Deer Park, Kealba, Keilor Park and Sunshine notching up three each.
The latest report from Airservices Australia said most of the complaints from Keilor and St Albans were about aircraft turning early to the west after departing Melbourne Airport’s Runway 16.
The report said the issue is being investigated and has been discussed with airlines, who are reminding their pilots not to turn early if possible.
However, the Melbourne Airport Noise Abatement Committee report from February this year said the early turns have been mostly attributed to weather – such as avoiding storms for safety reasons.
One Keilor resident has told Star she believes the complaint figures being passed onto bodies such as the Noise Abatement Committee could be under-representing the noise problem.
Airservices Australia records the names of people who get in touch about noise issues, rather than listing the total number of notifications, in an effort to reduce the impact of serial complainers.
However, an Airservices Australia spokesperson said they encouraged feedback on all new topics.
“We acknowledge that some residents in Keilor are concerned about the impact of aircraft noise,” she said.
“Airservices takes all complaints seriously – that’s why we have a dedicated Noise Complaints and Information Service (NCIS).
“Through the NCIS, Airservices provides complainants with detailed information regarding aircraft flight paths, runway selection, the effects of wind, schedules, approach heights, seasonal variations, noise abatement procedures and any other information which may be of assistance.
“If the resident has any new issues they would like addressed, we encourage them to contact our Noise Complaints and Information Service.”
See www.airservicesaustralia.com or call 1800 802 584 for more information.
