EMG Aircraft Noise Policy
Introduction
The East Melbourne Group is concerned about the significant noise and disturbance from light aircraft and helicopters which is severely impacting on the amenity of our residential area and the
health of its residents. Noise levels have been recorded at up to 85 decibels which is the level at which hearing damage begins to occur.
There is also a safety risk presented by increasing air traffic flying only by Visual Flight Rules and residents strongly feel that built-up areas should be avoided by air traffic when there are
alternatives available.
Over recent years changes to the approach for large aircraft flying to Tullamarine have resulted in concentrated flight paths over our residential area, causing significant disturbance during the day
and at night.
Purpose
This policy represents the position of the East Melbourne Group in seeking alleviation of this problem which has been steadily getting worse over several years.
The policy is based on the principle that residents of East Melbourne have a right to the quiet enjoyment of their neighbourhood in accordance with the legal concept that a person must not
create a nuisance which interferes with an individual’s enjoyment of land. Commercial interests should not be able to override those of residents.
Definitions
The term aircraft in this policy includes helicopters and fixed wing aircraft, including large passenger
and cargo planes.
Policy
Emergency Aircraft
The need for police and other official emergency and defence aircraft to operate from time to time whilst on emergency activity over East Melbourne is acknowledged and accepted.
Light Aircraft and Helicopters
All operators of aircraft should adopt ‘Fly Neighbourly’ principles to reduce the disturbance caused by aircraft over East Melbourne and other residential areas. This should include avoiding flying over
residential areas and instead flying along the Yarra River, transit corridors such as freeways, predominantly industrial areas and port Phillip Bay.
No pilot training should occur over East Melbourne.
Aircraft which do not comply with or are exempt from official noise standards should not be permitted to fly over East Melbourne.
Traffic helicopters should be restricted to flying along the roads they wish to comment on and not hovering over residential areas. There should be no more than one pass every half hour during peak
traffic times and their hours of operation should be restricted to 7am to 7pm.
Helicopters filming events at the MCG or anywhere in the sporting complex along Swan Street should be permitted to hover for no more than 5 minutes for any one event (or in any one
afternoon). Only one pass every half hour should be permitted. Hovering should be permitted only to the south of the MCG and not to the north of the MCG.
Sightseeing and joy flight aircraft should confine their flights to the south of the MCG.
Aircraft flying point to point should take flight paths over transport corridors, including freeways and Port Phillip Bay and should avoid residential areas.
Controlled airspace should be expanded to include all of East Melbourne and all aircraft flying within such controlled airspace should be required to lodge flight plans which comply with Fly Neighbourly
Principles.
Large Aircraft flying to Tullamarine
Flight paths to Tullamarine should be over Port Phillip Bay and where this is not possible, they should be distributed to ameliorate severe noise impacts on residential areas.
Community Consultation
All authorities responsible for regulating air traffic and planning flight paths should be required to meaningfully consult with affected residential communities prior to any changes impacting on
overflown communities being made.