Why this map of the flight paths for Western Sydney Airport has outraged locals: 'Over our house'
Transport Minister Catherine King announced on Wednesday the locked in flight routes as construction was completed on the runway, with the facility set to open in 2026.
Residents in the Blue Mountains and Wallacia regions have benefitted from the alterations to the early designs unveiled in 2023 and 2024 but many are still angry, saying they do not go far enough.
Ms King said there are five changes made to reduce aircraft noise following community consultations, with four of those regarding night operations.
'Most notably, I'll be issuing a ministerial direction to Airservices Australia to make reciprocal runway operations (RRO) the default operating mode at night, including specific noise abatement procedure, when both are safe to do so,' she added.
RRO involves planes taking off and landing in the same direction, which in this case will be the southwest utilising opposite ends of the single runway between 11pm and 5.30am.
Outraged residents have flooded social media with many complaining they will be affected by the noise pollution.
'Good stuff, Springwood/Faulconbridge still getting overnight noise then. The arrivals practically goes over our house,' another said.
'Noise is NOT subjective it is actual noise, I don't believe I am in the corridor, but do sympathise with those who are,' another said.
'No curfews. Huge issue!' a third said.
The Residents Against Western Sydney Airport (RAWSA) group agreed the changes were 'just window dressing' and said it was 'appalled' that there was no change to the '24/7 flight intrusion'.
RAWSA wants a curfew and hourly flight caps.
One local on a Blue Mountains Facebook group said that properties under the aircraft routes should be soundproofed at the government's expense.
'Soundproofing for homes under flight path needed so we can sleep of a night or better still give us a curfew like Mascot. Maybe the people off the West don't count.'
Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill said that it was 'not good enough' that the area would still be impacted.
'We are a world heritage area. Flogging this place with aircraft noise is nothing short of a senseless disregard for the United Nations declaration,' he said.
'Moreover, this decision treats the people of the Blue Mountains and western Sydney as second-class citizens.'
However, others argued the noise would be minimal.
'Almost every single major city in the world has a 24/7 airport. It's good for the economy if it annoys you that much f*** off and move somewhere else,' one said.
'Might be noisy at first, but you'll get used to the noise and it won't bother you anymore,' another added.
'Complaining about decently high altitude plane noise meanwhile overnight 30-40 coal trains barrel along with no issues.'
One pilot, Captain Byron Bailey, said the RRO directive was 'almost farcical' as it would result in congestion due to pilots having to navigate the additional challenges of taking off into-wind and landing with the wind behind them.
'Nowhere in the world is (RRO) done like this. The resulting traffic confliction and holding would be ridiculous, possibly difficult for ATC to manage,' he told Sky News.
However, Aviation consultant and CEO of Strategic Air, Tony Stanton, argued the RRO would only be used at night when air traffic was minimal.
'We've learnt lessons from other airports, which is why I have imposed a number of additional conditions that will reduce our aircraft noise,' Infrastructure and Transport Minister King said.
'Can I say that there will be no noise for anyone? I can't say that because that's the very nature of operating an airport is that you have planes, and planes do make noise.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Identity of accused Melbourne synagogue firebomber revealed - as new footage emerges of separate attack at Jewish restaurant
A man who allegedly firebombed a synagogue has been identified, as a series of alleged anti-Semitic attacks at several other locations draws international attention. Angelo Loras, 34, from Toongabbie in NSW, was arrested in Melbourne 's CBD on Saturday night, about 24 hours after the front doors of the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation were allegedly set alight - forcing 20 men, women and children to flee. Loras has been charged multiple offences including reckless conduct endangering life, criminal damage by fire and possession of a controlled weapon. The 34-year-old appeared in Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Sunday, where the court was told it was his first time in custody. He was remanded until a hearing on July 22. Detectives will investigate the accused man's intent and ideology to determine if the incident was an act of terrorism. Police are also investigating another separate alleged act of anti-Semitism on the same night, when protesters who splintered from a larger demonstration allegedly smashed a window, flipped tables, threw chairs and chanted 'death to the IDF' outside Israeli restaurant Miznon. Hours later, offenders spray-painted three cars and a wall outside a Greensborough business in Melbourne's northeast before setting fire to the vehicles, destroying one and damaging two. Police have revealed they are investigating a fourth incident where offenders used stencils to spray paint offensive images on pillars at a busy intersection and a number of walls in Elsternwick. It came as hundreds gathered for a pro-Palestine rally in Melbourne on Sunday. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned 'reprehensible anti-Semitic attacks' on both the Melbourne synagogue and restaurant. He urged the federal government to 'take all action' against those responsible. 'I view with the utmost gravity the anti-Semitic attacks that occurred last night in Melbourne, which included attempted arson of a synagogue in the city and a violent assault against an Israeli restaurant by pro-Palestinian rioters,' Netanyahu said. None of the incidents have been declared terrorism-related, but the police are increasing patrols around the synagogue and in the city's southeast. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, former attorney-general Mark Dreyfus and Melbourne MP Sarah Witty met with the synagogue's Rabbi Dovid Gutnick, president Danny Segal and his wife on Sunday morning. Mr Burke and Mr Dreyfus described the firebombing as an 'attack on Australia' and the entire community. Mr Burke stopped short of declaring the alleged arson attack an act of terrorism, saying it would be up to Victoria Police to decide. He refused to be drawn on Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's demand the Australian government 'take all action to deal with the rioters to the fullest extent of the law'. Mr Burke said he spoke with the Israeli Ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon on Saturday night as news filtered through of plans for him to fly from Sydney for the Sunday's meeting. The ambassador took it as a signal of the government taking Friday's attacks very seriously, Mr Burke said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the synagogue arson as a 'cowardly' act of violence and anti-Semitism and said the attacks on the restaurant and business were unacceptable. The federal government has offered federal police and security and intelligence agency support to investigators. 'Those responsible for these shocking acts must face the full force of the law,' he said. Victorian opposition police spokesman and Jewish MP David Southwick criticised Premier Jacinta Allan, who condemned the attacks in a statement, for not fronting the media over the weekend. 'Where is the premier,' he asked. 'The Jewish community feel like there is a war zone here in Melbourne.' Ms Allan is expected to visit the synagogue on Monday. The attacks come seven months after a blaze destroyed two buildings at the Adass Israel Synagogue in the city's south and forced worshippers inside to flee.
Reuters
3 hours ago
- Reuters
Australia police charge man over alleged arson on Melbourne synagogue
SYDNEY, July 6 (Reuters) - Australian police have charged a man in connection with an alleged arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue with worshippers in the building, the latest in a series of incidents targeting the nation's Jewish community. There were no injuries to the 20 people inside the East Melbourne Synagogue, who fled from the fire on Friday night. Firefighters extinguished the blaze in the capital of Victoria state. Australia has experienced several antisemitic incidents since the start of the Israel-Gaza war in October 2023. Counterterrorism detectives late on Saturday arrested the 34-year-old resident of Sydney, capital of neighbouring New South Wales, charging him with offences including criminal damage by fire, police said. "The man allegedly poured a flammable liquid on the front door of the building and set it on fire before fleeing the scene," police said in a statement. The suspect, whom the authorities declined to identify, was remanded in custody after his case was heard at Melbourne Magistrates Court on Sunday and no application was made for bail, the Australian Broadcasting Corp reported. Authorities are investigating whether the synagogue fire was linked to a disturbance on Friday night at an Israeli restaurant in Melbourne, in which one person was arrested for hindering police. The restaurant was extensively damaged, according to the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, an umbrella group for Australia's Jews. It said the fire at the synagogue, one of Melbourne's oldest, was set as those inside sat down to Sabbath dinner. Israeli President Isaac Herzog went on X to "condemn outright the vile arson attack targeting Jews in Melbourne's historic and oldest synagogue on the Sabbath, and on an Israeli restaurant where people had come to enjoy a meal together". "This is not the first such attack in Australia in recent months. But it must be the last," Herzog said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the incidents as "severe hate crimes" that he viewed "with utmost gravity". "The State of Israel will continue to stand alongside the Australian Jewish community," Netanyahu said on X. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese late on Saturday described the alleged arson, which comes seven months after another synagogue in Melbourne was targeted by arsonists, as shocking and said those responsible should face the law's full force. "My Government will provide all necessary support toward this effort," Albanese posted on X. Homes, schools, synagogues and vehicles in Australia have been targeted by antisemitic vandalism and arson. The incidents included a fake plan by organised crime to attack a Sydney synagogue using a caravan of explosives in order to divert police resources, police said in March.
The Independent
7 hours ago
- The Independent
Benjamin Netanyahu demands end to ‘reprehensible' antisemitic acts after Melbourne synagogue attack
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has urged Australia to apply the full force of its law to prevent 'reprehensible' antisemitic attacks, after a Melbourne synagogue was set on fire with 20 people inside. A 34-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with the alleged arson attack on Friday night, when 20 people were inside the East Melbourne Synagogue. The congregation escaped unharmed through a rear door, and firefighters managed to contain the blaze to the entrance area of the 148-year-old building. Police said the arrested man, Angelo Loras, is a resident of Sydney, the capital of neighbouring New South Wales. He has been charged with offences including criminal damage by fire. 'I view with utmost gravity the antisemitic attacks that occurred last night in Melbourne, which included attempted arson of a synagogue in the city and a violent assault against an Israeli restaurant by pro-Palestinian rioters,' Mr Netanyahu said in posts on X on Sunday morning. 'The reprehensible antisemitic attacks, with calls of 'Death to the IDF' and an attempt to attack a place of worship, are severe hate crimes that must be uprooted. 'The State of Israel will continue to stand alongside the Australian Jewish community, and we demand that the Australian government take all action to deal with the rioters to the fullest extent of the law and prevent similar attacks in the future.' Victoria police said the Toongabbie man was charged with 'reckless conduct endanger life, reckless conduct endanger serious injury, criminal damage by fire, and possess a controlled weapon'. 'Detectives will continue to examine the intent and ideology of the person charged to determine if the incident is in fact terrorism,' police said. It was the first of three suspected antisemitic incidents in Melbourne between Friday night and early Saturday. Authorities have yet to establish a link between the incident at the synagogue and the two attacks on businesses. A restaurant was attacked on Friday night, with protesters chanting 'Death to the IDF', in reference to the Israel Defence Forces. Police are also investigating the spray-painting of a business in Melbourne's northern suburbs, along with an arson attack on three vehicles linked to the business before dawn on Saturday. Israeli president Isaac Herzog joined Mr Netanyahu in warning that the attack must be Australia 's 'last'. 'It is intolerable that in 2025, we are still faced with the chilling image of an attempt to burn Jews alive as they pray, and attacks on Jewish businesses,' he said as he urged the Australian government to confront the 'stain' of antisemitism with 'urgency and resolve'. Australian home affairs minister Tony Burke met with Jewish leaders at the damaged synagogue on Sunday. Mr Burke told reporters that investigators were searching for potential links between the three incidents. 'At this stage, our authorities have not drawn links between them. But obviously there's a link in antisemitism. There's a link in bigotry. There's a link in a willingness to either call for violence, to chant violence or to take out violent actions. They are very much linked in that way,' Mr Burke said. 'There were three attacks that night and none of them belonged in Australia. Arson attacks, the chanting calls for death, other attacks and graffiti – none of it belonged in Australia and they were attacks on Australia,' Mr Burke added.
