The Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC) is advocating for a balanced approach and relief measures in scheduling flights at the new Western Sydney International Airport, citing independent studies that highlight potential negative health effects from nighttime aircraft noise.

In response to the Australian Government’s Environmental Impact Study (EIS) on the airport’s proposed flight paths, WSROC has submitted concerns regarding the continuous 24-hour operation of the airport. WSROC President, Councillor Barry Calvert, emphasized the primary focus on nighttime noise due to its potential to harm residents’ health, particularly through sleep disturbance.

According to WSROC, vulnerable groups such as the elderly, pregnant women, individuals with health issues, and shift workers are particularly susceptible to sleep disruption caused by aircraft noise. While children may be less sensitive to night noise, their higher sleep requirements make them equally affected.

Residents across various Western Sydney suburbs are expected to be impacted by the airport's operations, including Luddenham, Greendale, Silverdale, Wallacia, Kemps Creek, The Oaks, Silverdale, and Cobbitty.

The proposed Western Sydney International Airport, situated in Badgerys Creek within the Liverpool City Council area, is set to become one of Australia's largest infrastructure projects. Initially featuring a single runway, the airport plans to handle up to 185,000 aircraft movements and 37 million passengers annually by approximately 2050, with future expansions potentially increasing these numbers.

Responding to concerns raised by Western Sydney councils, WSROC engaged the Centre for Health Equity Training, Research and Evaluation at the University of NSW and acoustics consultancy Marshall Day Acoustics for an independent review of the EIS's noise component. Their review focused on assessing potential health impacts and providing recommendations for mitigating noise-related issues.

WSROC stresses the importance of understanding the cumulative impact of aircraft operations on stakeholders and decision-makers. Their review, guided by 'enHealth' guidelines on environmental noise health effects, evaluated noise exposure measures, health thresholds, and proposed mitigation strategies presented in the EIS.

Key findings highlighted by WSROC include potential health risks such as sleep disturbance and cardiovascular impacts, underscored by evidence-based research. They advocate for equitable considerations in scheduling aircraft movements and flight paths to minimize noise impact, suggesting ongoing community consultation and stakeholder involvement to address concerns effectively.