Residents concerned about a potential future flightpath over the southern Moreton Bay islands are being asked to voice their thoughts via survey and petition.
This was the outcome from a meeting of about 35 island residents on May 15 who met to discuss the ramifications of a proposed new flight path over the islands by Airservices Australia.
The meeting was organised by the SMBI Chamber of Commerce and Macleay Island Progress Association.
SMBI Chamber president Shane Rendall said the routes which least affected populations went straight out to the ocean but were unattractive to airlines for perceived reasons of economy of operations.
“The nature of the feedback survey effectively puts areas in conflict with one another instead of grasping the hard truth that Brisbane populations should not have to carry the burden of environmental and noise fallout simply for the economy of airlines,” he said.
Mr Rendall said that he was shocked to hear that Airservices Australia considered the islands to be uninhabited.
“Actually, our population is around 10,000 and is expected to grow to some 22,000,” he said.
Mr Rendall said this expected growth was based on data gained from real estate agents, the post office, builders, land releases and about 600 land approvals in the past year.
The flight path came to light when it was revealed that the routes favoured by presenters at a recent Redland Bay meeting go directly over the islands, considered to be the most environmentally friendly option, despite the carbon deposits and noise.
There are other ways to reduce emission such as banning short flights, private jets and putting less people in the pointy end of a plane
Mr Rendall said he was disappointed that there was no Moreton Bay island representation at meetings held earlier in May at Redland Bay and at North Stradbroke Island.
The meeting noted Airservices Australia was committed to timely, quality and meaningful engagement, and concluded with a motion censuring the organisation for the way in which proposals had been presented and requested urgent consultation on the islands.
Mr Rendall urged residents to fill in the survey on the Airservices Australia website and sign an online petition through Bowman MP Henry Pike.
He said there was also a Facebook page available.
