Plane noise a major concern

By Frank Neill

A northern suburbs group of volunteers has established an organisation called Plane Sense in the wake of the change of flight paths.

Its aim is to be a “collective voice to be heard and effect change for the peace of our community,” a Plane Sense spokesperson told the “Independent Herald”.

Plane Sense was established in the wake of the decision by New Zealand’s airways service provider Airways, to implement a new flight pathfrom 1 December last year – a decision approved by Wellington International Airport Ltd (WIAL).

That new flight path sees jet aircraft flying directly over Broadmeadows.

“The noise levels are up to 90 decibels as the plane goes over Broadmeadows and are at least 70 decibels,” the spokesperson said.

“Unfortunately we don’t have data on what the noise levels were before the flight path was changed.

“The much louder aeroplane noise impacts the residents of Broadmeadows, Khandallah and Johnsonville.

“The noise from the planes is also affecting our neighbours in Ngaio and Crofton Downs.”

From its start with a group of volunteers, the number of Plane Sense members has grown.

“We have over 200 members at the moment,” the spokesperson said.

And it is seeking more.

“At the moment we are trying to connect with our neighbours, some of whom are suffering alone, to offer our support.”

The organisation has also set up a website, planesensewellington. com. One of the pages on the website is a “noise gallery” featuring a series of You Tube clips of planes flying overhead.

“We have had over 64,000 hits on our You Tube noise channel.”

The main aims of Plane Sense are to question the process and implementation of the new flight path, and to advocate for change “for the peace of our community”.

The change was implemented withoutconsultation with northern suburb residents, despite WIAL noting that “the change in flight departure paths may be noticed by some residents in the Johnsonville/Khandallah area”, the spokesperson said.

WIAL has statedthat “in cases like this public consultation isn’t normally undertaken”.

However a more inclusive approach was adopted in 2018 when a change in flight path was proposed, the spokesperson said.

In 2018, public consultation was conducted, as was a12-month trial period,and residents of the northern suburbs were notified by postwhen a change in flight path occurred.

“In 2018 the change processspecifically welcomed and incorporated community feedback.”

Plane Sense was also questioning the acousticreport commissioned by WIAL whichstatedthat noise levels were “reasonable” and that there had been “generally an imperceptible increase in noise”.

“We noted that the acousticassessment evaluated data from one noise monitor placed at a much lower altitude than the highest affected suburb, Broadmeadows, which is located 300 metres above sea level.

“The single noise monitor is also close to the original flight path, not where the difference in noise would be greatest,” the spokesperson said.

Despite the high noise levels, residents of the northern suburbs were not entitled to the WIAL quieter homes package.

This package helps residents fit noise reducing improvements to their homes, such as glazing solutions to reduce noise.

Yet another issue the spokesperson identified was the effect on wildlife, and residents were noticing there were far fewer birdsfollowing the change in flight paths

“Ultimately we want to restore the peace of our suburbs for the wildlife and the residents,” the spokesperson said.

The change in flight path “is obviously a matter that hasn’t been consulted on,” the Wharangi/ Onslow-WesternCouncillor

Diane Calvert told the “Independent Herald”

“It should have been.

“Wellington International Airport and Airways need to go back to the community and consult on this.”

They also needed to “make sure they take [noise] readings in areas that are being impacted.

“The community just wants to be treated fairly,” Cr Calvert said.