Aircraft Noise Now A Problem in Cessnock
The Greens
© NSW Greens
Date: 04-Mar-10
Author: Cessnock Kurri Greens
Problems with aircraft noise over Nulkaba are a direct result of a poor decision by a majority of Cessnock Councillors to allow parachute drops in a nearby winery.
Cessnock Greens Councillor James Ryan said today.
"Despite concerns from airport user groups a majority of Councillors voted last year to allow parachute drops at Hope Estate. Because of this decision the Civil Aviation authority has now approved changes to aircraft movement patterns at Cessnock Airport so that all aircraft movements from the airport now fly over Nulkaba."
"Council is now dealing with the fall out of the decision with complaints from local residents at Nulkaba that their properties are being affected."
"To give those mix of ALP, Liberal and Independent Councillors who voted for the skydiving some credit they did restrict its operation to weekends and public holidays. Ironically those are the days when residents of nearby Nulkaba most expect to have peace and quiet at home". Councillor Ryan said.
"This decision has benefited a very small number of tourist visitors and a single winery. On the other hand it has inconvenienced hundreds of residents and several flying schools, and there is the future potential that Cessnock will lose jobs if one of the flying schools leaves."
"The Greens support the Skydiving business but we also recognise the drop zone could have been located in many places which didn't result in reduced safety and changed flight paths." Clr Ryan said "We are disappointed that Council's decision considered a couple of businesses without fully taking into account the impact on the hundreds of residents affected by this."
"The community should expect decisions that benefit most of the community. Parachuting is a legitimate business and there is plenty of room for it in our area, but not next to our busy airport".
The problem has now blown out because Council has to reconsider the future of proposed residential rezoning at the Valley View Precinct and the Nulkaba BC10. Council will now have to engage independent experts to assess the noise impacts on Nulkaba and the proposed new development sites.
"It would be irresponsible for Council to approve development under the flight path if the people that live there are going to be badly affected by noise. The Greens support Council making a full and thorough investigation of the noise. Once more houses are built under the flight path they will be there for a long time. It is better to get the panning right in the first place than have angry and upset residents in the future." Clr Ryan said.
James Ryan
0414 922 591