60 Reasons to Protest: Reason #7 – Bait-and-Switch
The ministerial approval of the New Parallel Runway and associated flight paths by the Australian Government in 2007 was based on the 2006 Brisbane Airport MDP/EIS, which stipulates that SODPROPS (over water operations) are to be, ”the preferred mode as it offers the greatest noise abatement.” (page D3-33). However, Airservices quietly removed SODPROPS as the priority mode during the day from the Brisbane Noise Abatement Procedures. Classic bait and switch fraud.
In Budget Supplementary Estimates 2021 / 2022 (25 Oct 2021), Senator Larissa Waters asked Airservices:
Why was SODPROPS dropped for daytime operations?
SODPROPS changed from a day to a night time preferred mode during final flight path design in 2018 when a range of operational factors were considered.
Has Airservices considered whether this represents a ”significant impact” change that should be referred to the Minister for the Environment for advice? If advice was not sought, why not?
This change was not considered a “significant impact” criteria under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act).
What community consultation was undertaken to inform local communities of this major change?
As the change was not considered a “significant impact” no formal consultation was undertaken.
You tell us:
Was the removal of SODPROPS from daytime operations of the Brisbane Noise Abatement Procedures a ”significant impact” change? Click here to vote in our poll.
The Proof is in the Pudding
The proof is in the pudding and confirms that the removal of SODPROPS from daytime operations was a major change with a significant impact. 15,000+ complaints have been lodged (July 2020 – Jan 2023). Three independent reports – by the ANO, BAPAF, and Trax International – have confirmed flaws in both the flight path design and community engagement. Runway usage data confirms that Brisbane Airport Corporations promise to route the majority of flights over water and away from residents has been broken.
Airservices’ own guidelines
Any proposal that results in an EPBC Act assessment finding of potential ‘significant impact’, shall be referred, by the EGM ANS to the Commonwealth Environment Portfolio Minister (the Environment Minister) for advice.
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