60 Reasons to Protest: Reason #9 – Brisbane City Council complicit
The Sydney Airport community protests against the noise pollution in the mid 90s saw demonstrators gathering at the international and domestic terminals, effectively blocking movements in and out of terminal buildings. What is notable is that they had the support from affected local governments. Council workers operating garbage trucks and street sweepers (which you can see in the video below from 17 Dec 1994) were joined by protesters in cars driving slowly between the two terminals.
Sadly, Brisbane City Council is largely complicit in BAC’s plans to turn Brisbane into an Aerotropolis – not a city with an airport but an airport city.
Community members have used the BFPCA one-click complaint link to email thousands of complaints directly to Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner asking him to use his clout and powers to advocate on behalf of families and communities across more than 226 suburbs of Greater Brisbane.
Yet, similar to Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Schrinner also refuses to take responsibility, and keeps telling complainants suffering from flight path noise pollution that aviation is not his responsibility as it is a federal matter.
In response to one complainant, Schrinner suggested on his Instagram account:
Hi, flight paths at Brisbane Airport are not something regulated or controlled by Council. This is the role of the Federal Government. Having said this, I live directly under the flight path myself and I certainly don’t consider it has ruined the peace or beauty of my suburb. When I do notice an airliner flying overhead, I’m reminded of the income that each flight brings to our city’s local businesses and all of the local jobs that are supported by this. Recent events have illustrated very clearly just how important air travel is for our local economy. I feel very strongly about this myself. I know this is not the response you were hoping for, but I’m afraid that we will have to agree to disagree on this matter.
LM Adrian Schrinner, 21 Nov 2020
Despite suggesting aviation is a federal matter only, LM Schrinner is very active himself in turning Brisbane into an Aerotropolis.
“A keen amateur pilot, Schrinner qualified to fly light aircraft solo at age sixteen. After leaving school he commenced training to become an officer in the Royal Australian Air Force.”
Wikipedia | Courier Mail
Brisbane City Council supports a curfew-free 24/7 airport
While the old airport at Eagle Farm (1925 – 1988) had a curfew, the new airport opened in 1988 without a curfew, because it was argued it was so close to the shore and away from residents that it could operate 24/7. With urban development progressing since 1988, the airport is now surrounded by some of Australia’s most densely populated residential areas with more being planned and constructed as we speak. The only review of the need for a curfew occurred in 2013 comprising a five member sham committee representing the federal Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development, Queensland Government of Tourism, the Tourism and Transport Forum, Airservices Australia, AND: Brisbane City Council. They all agreed that Brisbane apparently doesn’t need a curfew.
Local government planning curtailed by airport growth?
The growth aspirations of Brisbane Airport Corporation is already having a significant and major impact on the Brisbane population. BFPCA argues that it is not good enough to suggest that it is responsibility of Airservices Australia to deal with noise complaints while BAC continues to grow unabated. It is not good enough to pass the buck to the local government to ensure people do not live near airports. They already do.
Brisbane Airport has made a submission to Brisbane City Council requesting that the future residents of the Bulimba Barracks development “should be restricted from making noise complaints” through the registration of a covenant (ABC News, 18 Jan 2022) because they live in proximity to an airport. The underlying assumption and value set that suggests the aviation industry takes the number one priority over everything else is offensive, arrogant and unacceptable. Interestingly, in the same document, BAC praises “Council’s consistent support in maintaining Brisbane Airport’s 24/7 curfew free status” (p. 4). So obviously BAC know that Brisbane City Council got their back at all times – while we all suffer.
Olympic Village planned to be under BAC’s main aviation superhighway
Schrinner and Palaszczuk are working closely together to host the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. The Olympic Village will be located under one of the world’s busiest aviation super highways. Major airports such as Sydney have curfews, as do the next two Olympic host cities Paris 2024 and LA 2028. Brisbane has no restrictions in place and wants to fully utilise its capacity of 110 flights an hour. The Olympics are jointly managed and hosted by Brisbane City Council and the QLD Government.
Similarly, LM Adrian Schrinner wants the Pinkenba Quarantine Facility to be used for “crisis accommodation.” – This location is even closer to the runways, and anyone housed there will be in crisis for sure due to the noise torture they will experience 24/7.
Schrinner to introduce drone delivery services and Air Taxis
Adding insult to injury, Schrinner has signed deals to roll out drone delivery and Air Taxi services across Brisbane in the lead-up to the Olympics if not sooner. Wing has been undertaking trials in Logan City and is now expanding into Gold Coast and Ipswich. The South East Qld Council of Mayors has already entered a partnership with air taxi company WISK.
Send another complaint to Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner today.
Local Government Elections: 16 March 2024
Register for the BFPCA protest:
Discuss this in the BFPCA Facebook group:
