Airport Noise Management
Sound is such a normal part of everyday life, it provides a vast array of functions in our lives that it is often not appreciated or given second thought. That is, until the sound becomes annoying, unpleasant or unwanted, at this point when it becomes an annoyance it is often referred to as “noise”.
In urban areas nuisance noise can be attributed to a wide range of sources including construction works, emergency sirens, barking dogs as well as road, rail and air transport. Aircraft noise first became a significant issue for communities in the early 1960’s with the introduction of commercial jet aircraft. Since the 1970’s there has been an enormous amount of research in regards to what creates aircraft noise annoyance and how to effectively measure, monitor, manage and improve the problem.
Cairns Airport (CNS) has grown significantly over the past few decades. Concurrent with increasing airport activity the City of Cairns has also prospered during this time with a recent population growth rate of approximately 2% per annum. Aircraft movements have increased and so has the number of people living and working in proximity to the airport. Cairns Airport recognises that tourism underpins the regions economy and accepts our responsibility to ensure the Cairns Airport supports this industry. As is the case with many established airports a primary management issue for Cairns Airport is balancing urban growth regional development with minimising impacts on the community and the environment.
Cairns Airport aims to continuously develop, improve and implement aircaft noise initiatives that enhance the sustainability of airport operations and address the community interests by minimising noise impacts and the number of noise affected persons.
Cairns Airport has developed mechanisms for managing aircraft noise including but not limited to:
- Airport Environmental Consultative Committee
- Noise Abatement Procedures
- Aircraft Noise Exposure Patterns
- Aircraft Noise fact sheets
- Operational procedures and guidelines
- Helicopter Fly Neighbourly Procedure
- Ground Running Procedures