BAYSIDE residents will have a chance to speak directly with flight path designers later this month as part of Airservices Australia’s latest push to reduce aircraft noise across Greater Brisbane.
But Redlands residents say they’ve been snubbed.
A community engagement session will be held at Wynnum Golf Club on Tuesday, July 29, with 20-minute one-on-one appointments available between noon and 6pm.
However, Karilyn Beiers, the community representative for Bowman on the Brisbane Airport Community Aviation Consultation Group (BACACG), has criticised the consultation process, saying mainland Redlands and Southern Moreton Bay Islands residents had effectively been excluded.
“The people of mainland Redlands have again been left off the list of suburbs where consultations are to be held,” Ms Beiers said.
“While it’s appreciated that North Stradbroke Island residents will have the opportunity to attend at Amity Point, that venue is impossible for mainland and SMBI residents to readily access.
“It will mean either an expensive car ferry trip or a long and complex public transport journey involving ferries, buses and lengthy delays – all just to attend a session and have a say.”
Ms Beiers said she had raised the issue in writing with Airservices Australia on multiple occasions and at BACACG meetings, yet nothing had changed.
“It cannot be an oversight,” she said.
“There is no complaint about having a meeting on North Stradbroke Island – merely the lack of a venue on the mainland, preferably in Cleveland.”
She also criticised the timing and transparency of the process, with consultation on the new Phase 6 flight path proposals commencing before results from the previous phase have been made public.
“Airservices has continued to release proposals without first showing the results from the last phase, which hardly inspires confidence,” she said.
“And you must still register with Engage Airservices to access information, book a consultation or even provide feedback.”
Airservices Australia said the upcoming consultations would focus on preferred flight path options – developed by international airspace design firm Trax International – that aim to reduce the frequency and concentration of flights over the city’s most impacted suburbs.
“This phase of engagement is a key step in the flight path change process,” a spokesperson said.
“These preferred flight paths have been developed in response to community and industry input and following detailed technical assessments.”
Appointments for the Wynnum session must be booked online, but those unable to attend in person can register for an online consultation or view a recorded webinar.
Airservices has also extended access to its confidential support service – usually reserved for employees – to community members affected by aircraft operations.
The service is delivered independently by Converge International.
Ms Beiers urged Redlands residents to stay engaged, saying the community must continue advocating for long-term solutions like the “over-the-ocean” flight path option, which would direct planes east of North Stradbroke Island to gain altitude before flying over the mainland.
“No matter what is in the proposals, I ask for – and need – the support of all Redlanders to help maintain their chosen lifestyle without disruption from aircraft noise,” she said.
