PIR activity update

Release of final Terms of Reference

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback on the Update Draft Terms of Reference (ToR) v0.3. We have considered all feedback received in finalising the ToR.

You can view the Terms of Reference with final changes tracked here.

A summary of the feedback received and our response to it can be viewed here.

The ANO has been advised of completion of the ToR. Per their update posted on their website (click here) the ANO has advised the Airservices Australia Board that it will be neither agreeing nor disagreeing with Terms of Reference drafted by Airservices as doing so would be inconsistent with the ANO Charter as this would compromise the independence of the ANO.

Draft Community Engagement Plan

Feedback on the draft Community Engagement Plan (CEP) closed at midnight (AEST) Sunday 31 January 2020. We will review all submissions received and incorporate relevant feedback into an updated version which we will provide for a further public review period.

Next Steps

We recognise from feedback received that short-term noise monitoring and further engagement on the development of the CEP are of key interest to the community. For this reason, we will commence immediately on the short-term noise monitoring site feasibility study to enable engagement with the community on appropriate locations to occur in the near future, so that we can mobilise quickly when air traffic volumes return to representative levels. We will also focus in the short term on finalising the CEP with the community, after which we will call for community suggested alternative submissions to the flight paths. Further information on timeframes will be provided in the updated CEP when released for the second round of public comment.

Short-Term Noise Monitoring Site Feasibility Study

We will commence with the short-term noise monitoring site feasibility study. This will identify the “zones” in which we need to place short-term noise monitors. These zones need to be in positions in close proximity to the flightpaths we are reviewing, the locations used for modelled noise levels in the EIA, and areas with populations as well as structures which may accommodate a short-term noise monitor installation. Other factors, including proximity to other noise sources (highways etc) are also considered. Once completed, we will provide these zones and supporting information to the community and commence engagement on suitable monitoring locations.