REDLANDERS are being urged to scrutinise and respond to Airservices Australia’s final Brisbane flight path decisions amid claims the region will bear more aircraft noise to benefit other parts of the city.
Airservices has released the final outcomes for Package 3 of the Brisbane Noise Action Plan, detailing flight path and operational changes developed following community and industry consultation in July and August 2025.
Brisbane Airport Community Aviation Consultation Group representative for the Bowman electorate Karilyn Beiers criticised the outcomes, arguing they continued a pattern of shifting aircraft noise onto Redlands communities.
Ms Beiers said the changes demonstrated a “continued disregard for the health, wellbeing and lifestyle of Redlanders” to reduce aircraft noise elsewhere in Brisbane.
“This is completely unacceptable and Redlanders must reject these decisions,” she said.
Federal Bowman MP Henry Pike said the final outcomes reflected the same approach he had opposed for years.
“These latest outcomes are exactly what I have been fighting against for years,” Mr Pike said.
“Once again, Airservices is looking to reduce aircraft noise over Brisbane by shifting more flights across the Redlands.
“We secured some important wins through previous rounds of consultation, which proves that strong community advocacy can make a difference.
“But these final outcomes still do not deliver good outcomes for our community.”
The outcomes come as residents continue to raise concerns about aircraft movements during Simultaneous Opposite Direction Parallel Runway Operations, known as SODPROPS, including its use during the day and on weekends.
However, Airservices Australia’s Head of Noise Action Plan for Brisbane Program Delivery Donna Marshall disputed claims SODPROPS was originally intended solely for overnight use.
“The Brisbane Airport Corporation 2007 Major Development Plan and Environmental Impact Statement indicated SODPROPS use both at night and during daytime hours,” Ms Marshall said.
“Daytime use was noted as limited to between 5 and 10 per cent during weekday daytime hours and between 12 and 17 per cent during weekend daytime hours.
“It was never presented as solely a night-time mode.
“Airservices has implemented improvements to achieve usage of this mode more aligned with earlier MDP forecasts.”
Ms Beiers said Redlands residents had already experienced increased aircraft noise under the expanded operating arrangements.
Airservices maintained its Noise Action Plan had reduced noise levels over Redlands communities by sending departing aircraft further over Moreton Bay, allowing them to climb higher before crossing the coastline.
“The average altitude of aircraft as they cross the coastline to travel over the Redlands is 15,000 feet compared to 11,000 feet before the change, comparing 2025 and 2024 data,” Ms Marshall said.
“This increased altitude brings with it a reduction in noise level experienced on the ground.
“Additionally, the communities who are avoided during SODPROPS operations experience aircraft as low as 1500 to 2000 feet.”
For more than three years, Ms Beiers said she and a representative on the Brisbane Airport Community Airspace Advisory Board had advocated for an “over-the-ocean” flight path east of North Stradbroke Island that would avoid the Redlands mainland and bay islands.
According to Ms Beiers, Airservices rejected the option because of military restricted airspace, air traffic control requirements, interactions with Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast flight paths, additional waypoint requirements, airspace redesign and increased flight distances and emissions.
However, she said those obstacles could be overcome.
“Investigation has indicated, with a genuine and concerted effort, Airservices Australia could implement that option, benefiting not only the Redlands, but many other Brisbane suburbs,” she said.
Ms Marshall said flight path planning had to balance safety, environmental limitations and community noise considerations.
“Airservices has investigated this suggestion and has provided clear responses as to why it is not possible,” she said.
“No credible investigation findings have been presented that confirm this option could be implemented within the constraints of the airspace and aviation rules.”
Among the adopted changes is an earlier separation of southern and south-eastern departure routes, which Ms Beiers said could increase the number of aircraft flying over parts of the Redlands, including Russell Island.
While Airservices has committed to examining whether the route can avoid Russell Island, Ms Beiers said residents should not expect a satisfactory outcome.
She argued a relatively minor adjustment to the adopted flight path could significantly reduce the number of aircraft flying over the Redlands.
Ms Marshall said the change had been endorsed because it would reduce the total population overflown by more than 44,000 people.
“It specifically targets areas of greenspace to avoid population, including the Daisy Hill Conservation Park and Mount Cotton Bushland,” she said.
“Airservices has committed to looking at opportunities to avoid Russell Island.”
Mr Pike said the changes would be particularly concerning for residents in Victoria Point, Thornlands and Russell Island.
“They now face the prospect of even more flights over their homes,” he said.
“Some of the problems have a straightforward fix that Airservices can and should make during the design process.
“Others are fundamentally flawed and need to go back to the drawing board.”
Airservices said the announced airspace changes would not affect Thornlands.
“There is a slight shift in arrival flight path alignment after it crosses the coastline at Victoria Point, but this is at high altitude, over 9000 feet,” Ms Marshall said.
The Package 3 outcomes also consider changes to night-time operations, including two additional departure routes for periods when SODPROPS cannot operate because of weather or traffic conditions.
Ms Beiers said those routes could again shift more aircraft over Redlands communities while reducing noise impacts elsewhere in Brisbane.
Airservices said the night-time option remained under review and detailed safety work would have to be completed before any potential trial.
Further updates are expected by November 2026.
Mr Pike said the Redlands should no longer bear a disproportionate share of Brisbane’s aircraft noise.
“The Redlands cannot continue to be treated as the dumping ground for Brisbane’s aircraft noise,” he said.
“We need fair, evidence-based flight paths that reduce the burden across Brisbane rather than simply shifting it onto our bayside communities.”
Airservices Australia is a government-owned organisation responsible for managing air traffic across 11 per cent of the world’s airspace and providing aviation rescue and firefighting services at Australia’s busiest airports.
The organisation is regulated by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
While there is no current formal community engagement phase, residents can provide feedback on the Package 3 Noise Action Plan for Brisbane report until August 23.
Feedback can be emailed to communityengagement@airservicesaustralia.com or posted to Noise Action Plan for Brisbane, Locked Bag 747, Eagle Farm, Queensland, 4009.
