Complaints to the ANO surge when new flight paths are implemented. This occurred following flight path changes at Perth, Hobart, and the Sunshine Coast airports. Historically high numbers of complaints were received last year and this year due to new flight paths in Brisbane.
This has been another year of significant change and challenge for the office of the ANO.
This has been a year of substantial change for the Aircraft Noise Ombudsman (ANO).
The 2018-19 financial year has been both rewarding and challenging with a considerable increase in complaints as well as a continuation of longer-term projects.
2017-18 has been my first full year as Aircraft Noise Ombudsman and I am proud of our accomplishments. Highlights include:
I am very pleased and excited to have been appointed as Aircraft Noise Ombudsman. In the five months since I began in the role I have been fascinated by the wide and varied range of issues
that emerge in this field. Although new to aviation, I am not new to looking at the way government or agency decision making affects ordinary people in their daily lives. A background in administrative review, tribunals, legal policy development and the public and community sectors, means I am well acquainted with the consequences of agencies’ failure to properly engage with affected communities. Right now, my new-ness to aviation means I can offer some insights from the perspective of an outsider – a perspective I share with most of the community.
The Aircraft Noise Ombudsman acknowledges Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.