Describing Aircraft Noise
Is Canberra Airport a curfew-free airport, and how will its operations change over time?
Yes, Canberra Airport operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with no curfew restrictions. Over time, operations are expected to increase significantly as international and freight flights expand. Not only will there be more aircraft per hour, but larger planes will operate more frequently, especially at night. For more detailed information on this projected growth, you can refer to Chapter 5: Passenger Terminal Capacity and Aviation Growth (Page 62) in the Canberra Airport 2020 Master Plan.
How is aircraft noise measured?
There are several measures to describe aircraft noise, including information about flight paths and single event noise contours (N contours).
Dash 8 300 RWY 30 arrival single event
N Contours for Canberra Airport have been prepared in response to Guideline A of the National Airports Safeguarding Framework Measures for Managing Impacts of Aircraft Noise. N contours are a representation of aircraft frequency (how often) and noise level, over time.
The Canberra Airport 2019 Australian Noise Exposure Forecast (ANEF) illustrates noise levels based on noise insulation standards outlined in AS2021. Unlike N contours the ANEF contours are not a reflection of noise experience, but rather a set of contours based on an average of aircraft noise when the airport is at capacity.
Minimising Aircraft Noise at Canberra Airport
How does Canberra Airport manage aircraft noise?
Canberra Airport works closely with Airservices Australia to implement noise abatement measures. The key initiative is the noise abatement areas established in 1996 for Canberra and Queanbeyan. Aircraft are required to fly at minimum altitudes to reduce the impact on the community.
What are the altitude restrictions for aircraft?
Jet aircraft must not fly below 5,000ft (1,524m) and other aircraft must stay above 3,000ft (914m) in noise abatement areas. This helps protect 99.5% of houses in Canberra and Queanbeyan from direct over-flight, except in emergencies or bad weather.
What should homeowners outside noise abatement areas know?
Those purchasing homes outside these areas need to be aware of the likely increase in noise exposure from aircraft and future flight activities.
What is Smart Tracking (RNP-AR) and how does it affect Canberra Airport flights?
Smart Tracking, also known as RNP-AR (Required Navigation Performance – Authorisation Required), was introduced in 2005/06. It is a satellite-based navigation technology that allows aircraft to operate with greater accuracy and alerts the flight crew if the aircraft deviates from the planned route. Greater efficiency can be achieved by reducing track miles, fuel burn and emissions. The procedures allow increased precision for safe and predictable landings, including during inclement weather and low visibility conditions. RNP-AR has previously been referred to as ‘Smart Tracking’.
RNP-AR flight paths are available for Canberra Airport’s main runway 17/35 (oriented north-south) but can only be flown by aircraft that have been equipped with the required technology and where the flight crew have been authorised by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to conduct RNP-AR operations. To date, the RNP-AR flight paths into Canberra have only been used by jet aircraft.
QantasLink has updated its fleet of Dash 8 Q400 propeller-driven (turboprop) aircraft with RNP-AR technology, enabling them to be able to use the existing RNP-AR flight paths into Canberra Airport. Commencing on 8 September 2022, the existing RNP-AR flight paths will be used by a mix of both jet and turboprop aircraft, resulting in an increase to the number of flights using these flight paths. This change will not affect the total number of flights operating at Canberra Airport. There will be no changes to existing flight paths and no new areas will be overflown.
Further information about Required Navigation Performance – Authorisation Required can be found on airservicesaustralia.com
Residential Development and Noise Exposure
What are the noise restrictions for South Jerrabomberra (formerly known as Tralee)?
In late 2012, the NSW Government approved in part the rezoning of land at the South Jerrabomberra residential development. The decision was made that residential development would not be permitted at South Jerrabomberra within the ANEF 20 contour, while development outside the ANEF 20 contour would require aircraft noise attenuation to comply with Table 3.3 of Australian Standard 2021:2015 – Indoor Design Sound Levels for Determination of Aircraft Noise Reduction.
What must South Jerrabomberra homebuyers know about aircraft noise?
All sales contracts for houses at South Jerrabomberra include the following legal clause:
The Vendor discloses that the Property is subjected to aircraft noise at any time by 24 hours a day, 7 days a week passenger, freight and defence aircraft flight operations arriving and departing Canberra Airport. The frequency of aircraft movements and the size of aircraft are forecast to increase indefinitely into the future. It is the responsibility of landowners to noise attenuate their property to ensure their amenities as Canberra Airport will remain curfew-free.
More information
Why a curfew-free airport is essential?
- Uninterrupted Connectivity
A curfew-free airport keeps Canberra linked to other cities and the world 24/7, supporting critical late-night and early-morning flights. This flexibility is crucial for industries that rely on rapid, dependable shipments to arrive by morning, allowing time-sensitive medical items, such as transplant organs, and urgent IT components to reach their destinations without delay.
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Local Economy & Jobs
The continuous operation of Canberra Airport strengthens the local economy. A curfew-free status attracts international flights and the potential for a freight hub, stimulating job growth. With the consistent flow of goods - like daily newspapers, products, and mail parcels - Canberra Airport supports businesses and community needs alike. Ongoing collaborations with airlines are paving the way to expand these freight services further, creating more local jobs and economic opportunities.
- Community Convenience
Residents benefit directly from Canberra Airport's curfew-free status, which ensures that essential goods are delivered on time. From receiving fresh food and pharmaceuticals to daily mail and packages, the constant movement of flights supports the seamless functioning of daily life and commerce in the area.
Community well-being is a priority. Our protected flight path design ensures that no residential areas are affected by aircraft noise, allowing us to maintain curfew-free operations with minimal disruption. This balance between connectivity and community peace keeps Canberra Airport at the heart of progress without compromising neighbourhood comfort.
How can the public track aircraft noise and flight paths?
Airservices Australia has an online tool that enables the community to see where aircraft fly and explore historical trends and patterns. WebTrak uses information from air traffic control secondary surveillance radars to display aircraft movements within 50 kilometres of the airport and up to 30,000 feet above mean sea level. Aircraft noise data is also displayed and collected daily from noise monitors strategically located around communities close to the airport.
How are aircraft noise complaints handled?
The Aircraft Noise Ombudsman (ANO) conducts independent reviews of Airservices Australia’s and Defence’s management of aircraft noise-related activities, including:
- the handling of complaints or enquiries made to Airservices Australia or Defence about aircraft noise;
- community consultation processes related to aircraft noise;
- the presentation and distribution of aircraft noise-related information.
The 2013 article The Truth About Aircraft Noise is informative.
For more information visit ano.gov.au
Where can I find more information on aircraft noise?
Airservices and Canberra Airport provide information that explains key issues related to aircraft noise. This information is intended to provide information on topics that generate a number of enquiries.
In 2013, members of the aviation and airport industry collaborated to release an aircraft noise information portal for the Australian community.
The Portal provides information about particular aircraft, airports and noise policies. However, its intent is mainly to act as a hub where members of the community can find out more about the many facets of aircraft noise.
As a partner, Canberra Airport welcomes feedback about the Portal: info@canberraairport.com.au
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