Inquiries made by Independent Member for Alfred Cove Dr Janet Woollard to the Federal Government regarding the increase of aircraft noise over the Alfred Cove electorate revealed that it could not have been caused by changes in flight paths. 

“I wrote to The Hon Anthony Albanese MP, who is the Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, in May after receiving several complaints from residents who were woken up by aircraft noise in the early hours of the morning,” said Dr Woollard.

“In his response, Minister Albanese said there were no changes to flight paths over the Alfred Cove electorate in the last two years,” said Dr Woollard.

“The increase in aircraft noise experienced by residents therefore could not be explained by any changes to flight paths over the Alfred Cove electorate.”

Dr Woollard said Minister Albanese further explained that flight paths are determined by factors such as aircraft needs and seasonal weather which affects the number of flights over a given area on a day-to-day basis and across a period of time.

“The fact still remains there was an increase in aircraft noise because Airservices Australia reported that the number of days air traffic noise was recorded at being over 70 decibels increased from 41 days in the final quarter of 2007, to 55 days over the same period in 2008.

“Studies have shown that external noise exceeding 70 decibels can lead to disruption in the home.”

Dr Woollard said while she has not received any complaints regarding air craft noise in the last few weeks, she urges residents to contact the Perth Airport’s Community Consultative Committee on 9478 8142 to voice their concerns if they find the noise to be a continuous problem.

“I ask that residents continue to keep me informed as I wish to follow-up with the Federal Minister in a few months time if the problem of aircraft noise still persists,” said Dr Woollard.