VOICES were heard as 50 local residents gathered last Thursday at West Moreton Anglican College in Karrabin for a community information session hosted by the Department of Defence.
The event focused on a new aircraft noise monitoring program for residents living near RAAF Base Amberley, and provided locals with an opportunity to learn about the initiative, offer feedback, and express interest in participating.
The session was the first in a series of consultations designed to address concerns about aircraft noise from military jets such as the F/A-18F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler.
Defence officials outlined plans to install monitoring equipment in selected homes to collect updated noise data, which will inform potential insulation or noise reduction measures.
Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann attended the forum and said the community session was a valuable step forward in tackling an issue that had affected local residents for years.
“Noise from air force jets, like the Super Hornets and Growlers, has been a big issue in this area and some long-term local residents have been calling for it to be addressed for several years,” Mr Neumann said.
The initiative was first announced by Mr Neumann during the lead-up to the last Federal Election, and he reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to delivering the program now that it had been re-elected.
Residents living within the Australian Noise Exposure Forecast (ANEF) 30 contour will be eligible to volunteer for the program. Defence is now seeking expressions of interest from households willing to undergo noise monitoring and initial inspections, which will help guide the development of noise amelioration strategies – such as window glazing or other insulation work.
“We have seen similar programs like this operate around some civilian commercial airports,” Mr Neumann said.
Residents interested in volunteering for the noise monitoring program can contact Defence at (02) 5108 6024 or visit [email protected].
