Canberra International Airport - Noise, Noise Sharing and Curfews

Noise, Noise Sharing and Curfews

Approach and departure corridors lie over largely rural and industrial areas, although the instrument approach path (from the south) passes near the New South Wales suburb of Jerrabomberra, the city of Queanbeyan, and the Royal Australian Navy base, HMAS Harman, which has some barracks and housing.

Proposals have been made to the NSW Planning Minister by various developers to approve housing estates that are under the southern flight paths in New South Wales. Canberra International Airport Pty Ltd has been vigorous in advertising its opposition to these plans on the basis of a general increase in noise levels over a wide corridor which is currently free of aircraft noise, and concern that this will lead to the imposition of a curfew on the hours-of-operation of the airport.

Curfew 4 Canberra has been formed in response to the changes proposed in Canberra Airport’s draft 2008 Master Plan, in particular the nighttime aircraft movements and the impact this will have on the quality of life for all residents of the Canberra region. Its membership draws on the residents' associations from around the ACT. One of the key platforms is the introduction of a nighttime curfew at Canberra Airport. The core objectives of Curfew 4 Canberra include: secure an 11pm-6am curfew; oppose Canberra Airport becoming a 24-hour freight hub; oppose Canberra Airport becoming Sydney’s second airport; oppose the construction of a parallel (third) runway.