Kelvin Thomson, Federal Labor Member for Wills, today announced that the Essendon Airport Community Consultative Committee (CCC) had finalised the content of the new Essendon Airport Fly Neighbourly Agreement at its most recent meeting held on Friday 8th April.
“I am pleased to announce that the CCC has finalised Essendon Airport’s first comprehensive Fly Neighbourly Agreement”, Mr Thomson said.
“The Fly Neighbourly Agreement will seek to minimise noise and disturbances for the local community by encouraging aviation operators to adopt more neighbourhood friendly flight habits”, Mr Thomson said.
“I would like to thank residents for their assistance in providing me with their ongoing feedback as the Agreement was developed”.
Key aspects of the Fly Neighbourly Agreement include:
Operators will adhere to 15 key principles that are designed to help protect local amenity for residents
The Agreement will form part of Aircraft Operators Conditions of Use for Essendon Airport
Ensure that environmental awareness and noise issues are included in pilot training
Helicopters to avoid hovering over populated areas, with helicopters to select hovering locations that utilize surrounding topography, natural and built up environment which minimises noise to local community, and to preference hovering locations over freeways, commercial and industrial precincts
“Essendon Airport welcomes the finalization of the Fly Neighbourly Agreement by the Essendon Airport Community Consultative Committee. The FNA conveys to both the aviation and general community what flying professionally and courteously entails. Essendon Airport looks forward to reviewing the outcomes of the FNA with the Essendon Airport Community Consultative Committee in six months time.” said Mr Mark Maskiell, CEO Essendon Airport.
Member of the CCC and Moonee Valley Councillor, Jan Chantry, said, “I have been working closely with local residents throughout Moonee Valley for a great deal of time on addressing the issue of aircraft noise. The development of this Fly Neighbourly Agreement acknowledges that aircraft accessing Essendon need to be mindful of the local neighbourhood when taking off and approaching the Airport”.
Community Representative, Clive Judd, stated, “I have lived next door to Essendon Airport for many years, and am happy to have played a proactive role in representing my neighbours views on the CCC. Residents’ concerns were considered and included in the final Agreement”.
“The Fly Neighbourly Agreement is a journey rather than a destination”, Mr Thomson said.
“The CCC has committed to review its content in 6 months time. This will give the community an opportunity to see what effect it has on addressing aircraft noise. It will give the CCC an opportunity to consider improvements and enhancements to its content”, Mr Thomson said.
The Fly Neighbourly Agreement will be available for viewing at the following web address: www.kelvinthomson.com.au under the ‘Public Documents Section’, and on http://www.essendonairport.com.au/ under the Community Information Section. Residents can contact Mr Thomson’s office to obtain a hardcopy.
FLY NEIGHBOURLY AGREEMENT
(the Fly Neighbourly Agreement forms part of the Conditions of Use for Essendon Airport)
As an operator of General Aviation activities at Essendon Airport, (insert operator name here) is committed to undertaking operations in a Fly Neighbourly Manner. Naturally, the implementation of these voluntary procedures is subject to safety and operations procedures.
We will:
- Comply with Commonwealth legislative requirements for noise management;
- Comply with noise abatement procedures included in the Air Navigation (Essendon Airport) Regulations 2001, DAP (Departure Approach Procedures), and ERSA (En-Route Supplement Australia) which apply irrespective of tower operation;
- Ensure that environmental awareness and noise issues are included in pilot training;
- Respond to community inquiries about noise in a cooperative manner; and
- Display this agreement in the reception area of our business and website. We will adhere to the following principles:
- Ensure that all non pre-flight engine runs are undertaken in the designated run-up area, or in a location where the weather (eg, wind) or distance helps minimise the carriage of noise off airport;
- Wherever practicable the runway departure is to commence from the runway threshold so the full length of the runway is used in order to maximise height over populated areas;
- Select routes which are over less densely populated areas;
- Maintain correct tracks after takeoff;
- Adopt and maintain best rates of climb, to minimise noise over residential areas, as soon as possible after takeoff;
- Reduce engine revs as soon as possible;
- Unless arriving or departing the airport, aircraft must be above 1000ft;
- Minimise tight manoeuvres and turns when operating helicopters over populated areas;
- Operate helicopters such as to minimise “rotor slap” noise; and
- Avoid helicopter hovering over populated areas. Helicopters to select hovering locations that utilize surrounding topography, natural and built up environment which minimises noise to local community. Helicopters to preference hovering locations over freeways, commercial and industrial precincts;
