Sunshine Coast Airport Airspace Changes Runway 13/31

Sunshine Coast Council led the Sunshine Coast Airport Expansion Project and has delivered the new runway (Runway 13/31). The new runway and associated flight paths became operational on 14 June 2020.
These flight paths will change the way aircraft operate as they arrive and depart from Sunshine Coast Airport.
For more information on flight paths and aircraft operations, view our Fact Sheets here. Following community feedback, we have included both the minimum and average heights for departures, as heights for departures can vary depending on aircraft type. Heights for arriving aircraft continue to be presented as minimum heights, as heights for arrivals are less varied.
You can also search your address in the Interactive Map here, which presents the arrival and departure flight paths to both ends of the runway.
We have provided FAQs here.
Where can I access more information?
For information on current aircraft movements and flight paths, historical runway utilisation or monthly complaint reports for the Sunshine Coast, visit the Airservices website here (external site).
For information on aircraft noise, visit the Aircraft Noise Information Tool on the Sunshine Coast Airport website here (external site).
For more information on the Sunshine Coast Airport Expansion Project, visit the Sunshine Coast Council website here (external site).
Sunshine Coast Council led the Sunshine Coast Airport Expansion Project and has delivered the new runway (Runway 13/31). The new runway and associated flight paths became operational on 14 June 2020.
These flight paths will change the way aircraft operate as they arrive and depart from Sunshine Coast Airport.
For more information on flight paths and aircraft operations, view our Fact Sheets here. Following community feedback, we have included both the minimum and average heights for departures, as heights for departures can vary depending on aircraft type. Heights for arriving aircraft continue to be presented as minimum heights, as heights for arrivals are less varied.
You can also search your address in the Interactive Map here, which presents the arrival and departure flight paths to both ends of the runway.
We have provided FAQs here.
Where can I access more information?
For information on current aircraft movements and flight paths, historical runway utilisation or monthly complaint reports for the Sunshine Coast, visit the Airservices website here (external site).
For information on aircraft noise, visit the Aircraft Noise Information Tool on the Sunshine Coast Airport website here (external site).
For more information on the Sunshine Coast Airport Expansion Project, visit the Sunshine Coast Council website here (external site).
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PIR Activity Update
We are currently preparing information on the Sunshine Coast Noise Abatement Procedures (NAPs) and noise modelling data for release on this page in the coming days.
In the meantime if you would like to read more about the current NAPs please visit our Aircraft in Your Neighbourhood page here.
Following release of the NAPs information and noise modelling data we will have a community submission period for suggested changes to the NAPs.
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Short-term Noise Monitor Expression of Interest Closed
The Expressions of Interest (EOI) for short-term noise monitor locations has now closed.
Thank you to all community members who submitted an EOI. We received 44 EOIs from a range of locations.
We will review these EOIs and contact potentially suitable locations to organise further investigations and site testing.
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Reminder: Short-term Noise Monitor EOI Closes Soon
Expressions of Interest (EOI) for short-term noise monitor locations close at 5pm (local time) Friday, 25 June 2021.
For more information read our Short-term noise monitor site feasibility assessment here and fact sheet here.
Submit your expression of interest for hosting a short-term noise monitor by completing our short survey here.
Vote in our quick poll (see the right hand side of this project page) to let us know if you would like the noise monitor period extended.
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Release of Final Community Engagement Plan
Thank you to everyone who provided feedback on the Draft Community Engagement Plan (CEP) v0.2. We have now considered all feedback and finalised the CEP.
You can view the final CEP here and with changes tracked here.
A summary of the feedback received and our response to it can be viewed here.
A large number of comments received were addressed in our Review of Feedback provided for CEP v0.1. This can be viewed here. To avoid duplication, we have not responded to these comments again, instead focusing on new feedback submitted.
We have identified that a few elements of the Post Implementation Review (PIR) and CEP remain unclear to some community members. We have addressed these in the feedback summary document and updated our FAQs to provide further detailed information on:
- The application of IAP2 Spectrum Levels of Engagement
- The purpose of noise modelling vs noise monitoring
- The availability of three noise monitors to this PIR
- The two phase approach of the PIR
- Noise Complaints and Information Service (NCIS) complaints process
PIR Timing
We have recently seen a recovery of Sunshine Coast Airport movements to pre COVID levels and this means we are able to deliver the PIR in a single phase. The CEP has been updated to reflect this and an addendum added to the Terms of Reference to note all activity occurring in a single phase. We will now undertake an expression of interest (EOI) for short-term noise monitoring as our first engagement activity.
We had a number of different requests from the community about timing which we have attempted to balance. These included; not wanting to consider more than one key element at once, avoiding holiday periods, providing sufficient time to consider information provided and formulate responses, and completing the PIR in as short a timeframe as possible.
We have attempted to reduce timeframes and have brought forward some decision points, particularly in relation to the review of operations and Noise Abatement Procedures (NAPs), however we cannot reduce the total PIR timeframe significantly without requesting the community consider more than one element of the PIR at one time or encroaching into holiday periods. We have suggested a flexible approach during implementation, where if the community feels an action can be brought forward, we will attempt to support that where our resourcing allows.
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Short-term Noise Monitor Expression of Interest Open
We are seeking assistance from the community to identify appropriate private properties that are within or close to five potential short-term noise monitor installation zones identified by Airservices through our Short-term noise monitor site feasibility assessment which can be accessed here.
These zones experience regular scheduled passenger aircraft operations, are fully or partly within our modelled N60 or N70 noise contours and are complaint with noise monitoring standards.
We have three noise monitors available to the PIR and are planning to have the short-term noise monitors installed in August for a period of three months. This is consistent with our PIR procedures and will be dependent on identification of appropriate sites and negotiation with property owners.
Recognising community feedback asking that we undertake noise monitoring in more than three locations, we may be able to extend the monitoring period to six months and move the monitor/s to new locations after three months of data capture at initial locations. However, this would extend the overall PIR timeframes by another three months as we are unable to complete our analysis of the noise monitoring data and review of EIA assumptions and findings until the noise monitoring is complete. To vote on this option take our quick poll on the right hand side of this project page.
Further information about short-term noise monitors and site suitability is provided in our fact sheet here.
You can submit your expression of interest for hosting a short-term noise monitor by completing our short survey here.
The survey asks for your address, specific site information and local information you believe may be relevant regarding site suitability.
Expressions of Interest close at 5pm (local time) Friday, 25 June 2021.
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Draft Community Engagement Plan Review Period Closed
The review period for the draft Community Engagement Plan (CEP) v0.2 is now closed.
We thank everyone who participated by providing feedback on the draft CEP.
We will consider all community feedback and will provide an updated final version of the CEP on this project page.
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PIR activity update
Draft Community Engagement Plan
Thank you to everyone who provided feedback on the draft Community Engagement Plan (CEP).
An updated draft CEP is now available for review for three weeks, from Monday 29 March 2021 to Friday 30 April 2021 (midnight AEST). This review period excludes the two-week Easter holiday period.
Access the updated draft CEP here.
A summary of the feedback received and how we considered it is available here.
Short-Term Noise Monitoring Feasibility Study
We have commenced our site feasibility study to identify potential zones in which we may place noise monitors. Once we have completed the feasibility study, we will provide these zones and supporting information to the community and commence engagement on suitable monitoring locations.
Next Steps
We will release the final CEP and the Noise Monitoring Site Feasibility Study Report shortly after the current community review period closes, depending on volume of feedback. We will then commence engagement on suitable locations to site the noise monitors.
Information on timeframes for the community suggested alternative submission period has been included in the updated draft CEP.
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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.
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Draft Terms of Reference Review Period Closed
The review period for the draft Terms of Reference (ToR) is now closed.
We thank everyone who participated by providing feedback on the draft ToR.
We will consider all community feedback and will provide an updated version of the ToR on this project page.
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Closing dates for feedback
The updated draft Terms of Reference (ToR) is available for review until midnight (AEST) Sunday 17 January 2021.
The ToR has already been subject to detailed community review, as well as discussion through face-to-face and online community meetings. We will finalise the ToR by Sunday 31 January 2021 to enable the PIR to commence.
The draft Community Engagement Plan (CEP) is also now available for comment until midnight (AEST) Sunday 31 January 2021.
We have extended the closing date for the draft CEP, acknowledging this is the first opportunity the community has had to review this document.
Feedback can be provided by the following methods:
- Submitting through Engage Airservices
- Posting to Airservices Community Engagement, Locked Bag 747, QLD 4009
- Emailing to Airservices Community Engagement at communityengagement@airservicesaustralia.com
Please note our office is closed for the Christmas holiday period from 19 December 2020 to 5 January 2021 (inclusive). We will respond to comments and queries when we return.
Information about current operations for Sunshine Coast Airport can be accessed through the Airservices Aircraft in Your Neighbourhood portal.
Follow Project
Timeline
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14 June 2020
Sunshine Coast Airport Airspace Changes Runway 13/31 has finished this stageNew Runway Opening and Commencement of New Airspace and Flight Paths
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1 February 2021
Sunshine Coast Airport Airspace Changes Runway 13/31 has finished this stageFinal Terms of Reference released
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31 May 2021
Sunshine Coast Airport Airspace Changes Runway 13/31 has finished this stageFinal Community Engagement Plan released and Expressions of Interest for short-term noise monitoring locations opens
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25 June 2021
Sunshine Coast Airport Airspace Changes Runway 13/31 has finished this stageEOI for short-term noise monitoring locations closes
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19 July 2021
Sunshine Coast Airport Airspace Changes Runway 13/31 has finished this stageNoise Modelling Report released and NAPs review period commences
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Mid-August 2021
Sunshine Coast Airport Airspace Changes Runway 13/31 has finished this stageInstallation and commencement of noise monitoring
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26 September 2021
Sunshine Coast Airport Airspace Changes Runway 13/31 has finished this stageSubmission period for NAPs closes.
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1 October 2021
Sunshine Coast Airport Airspace Changes Runway 13/31 has finished this stageShort-term noise monitors at first three locations available on WebTrak:
- Yandina Creek
- Eumundi / Cooroy Mountain
- Mudjimba
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11 October 2021
Sunshine Coast Airport Airspace Changes Runway 13/31 has finished this stageCommunity suggested alternatives period commences
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January 2022
Sunshine Coast Airport Airspace Changes Runway 13/31 has finished this stageSubmission period for Community Suggested Alternatives closes.
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From January 2022
Sunshine Coast Airport Airspace Changes Runway 13/31 has finished this stageAirservices evaluation of submissions
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9 February 2023
Sunshine Coast Airport Airspace Changes Runway 13/31 is currently at this stageDraft report released for public comment period
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26 March 2023
this is an upcoming stage for Sunshine Coast Airport Airspace Changes Runway 13/31Public comment period closed
Resources
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PIR report
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Sunshine Coast community workshop (15/10/2022) presentation (2.78 MB) (pdf)
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PIR Terms of Reference and Community Engagement Plan
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Noise modelling and Noise Abatement Procedures
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Short-term Noise Monitoring
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PIR Community Meeting Resources
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Presentation - Sunshine Coast CIS - 18-11-2021 (3.91 MB) (pdf)