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Wellington Airport

Plane Sense Wellington public meeting June 2023

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How noise is managed by Wellington Airport

  • We carefully manage and monitor the impact of noise on the local community
  • Some of the steps we take include:
          • Flight curfew between 1 am and 6 am
          • Paying for home acoustic mitigation (noise insulation) for houses close to the airport
          • Controlling engine testing and other land-based activities
          • An Airport Noise Management Plan which is reviewed and certified by Wellington City Council
          • Airport Noise Management Committee with local (Eastern ward) representatives
          • Noise monitoring in Rongotai, Maupuia and Strathmore Park

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Airport noise boundaries

  • Airport has an Air Noise Boundary (in WCC District Plan) for surrounding areas (right)
  • This identifies homes that receive an average of more than 65dB Ldn noise level
  • This is currently under review and may include an additional outer 60dB Ldn boundary

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  • There are no regulatory rules/requirements in legislation or the District Plan for noise effects outside our Air Noise Boundaries

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  • There are no legal noise limits on aircraft in flight (over 1000 feet)

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Background to DMAPs

  • Airways briefed Wellington Airport in late 2021 on proposal for DMAPs:

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        • Improvements expected for safety, reduced delays, fewer emissions

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        • Aircraft would not be operating in areas they hadn’t previously (i.e. planes have always flown over Khandallah to an extent)

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        • Fewer flights expected over Newlands, more over Khandallah

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        • No impact expected on Airport Noise Boundaries

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Background to DMAPs

  • We went above and beyond our requirements by commissioning acoustic experts Marshall Day:
  • Computer modelling of noise impacts, supported by an air noise monitor in Khandallah
  • Concluded that noise impacts would be noticeable but considered reasonable

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  • Based on this and our Air Noise Boundaries, public consultation wasn’t considered necessary

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  • Wellington Airport approved DMAPs, implemented on 1 December 2022
  • Public notice on our website shortly after

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Since December 2022

  • DMAPs has delivered clear benefits for safety and the environment

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  • The return of flights post-Covid and impact of DMAPS has clearly been felt by northern suburbs

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        • 89 individual complainants

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        • We have answered every query and provided all information we can

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        • Plane Sense formed; met with Wellington Airport and Airways in March

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Next steps

  • New additional noise monitors will be installed shortly:

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        • Khandallah
        • Johnsonville
        • Broadmeadows
        • Ngaio

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      • We will share data and carefully consider it with Airways and Plane Sense

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      • We will review the data before committing to any next steps