Aircraft noise
Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI) will have the strictest noise-related land use protections of any airport in Australia.
Good planning and 21st-century technology will limit the noise impact of WSI.
While the airport will result in some increase in noise, steps have already been taken to minimise impacts on the areas surrounding the airport. Long-standing planning restrictions have largely protected the surrounding area from encroaching residential development.
Planning controls are the best way to reduce the impact of noise on the population. By restricting the types of buildings that can be constructed near the airport, the number of people affected will be kept as low as possible.
Current aircraft are much more fuel efficient and quieter than those that preceded them.
Noise from aircraft flying over communities is a key consideration during the flight path design process. A draft Noise Insulation and Property Acquisition policy has been released as part of the draft Environmental Impact Statement for the preliminary flight paths. People can make a submission on the draft policy during the draft EIS exhibition period between 24 October 2023 and 31 January 2024. For more detailed information, see the draft Noise Insulation and Property Acquisition policy brochure www.wsiflightpaths.gov.au/resources and the draft EIS www.wsiflightpaths.gov.au/digital-draft-eis.