Moving, building or renovating your house

What should I consider?

When moving to or building a new home it is important to think about the impact aircraft noise may have at a new location. When renovating your home or building a new home, it is also important to be aware that there may be land use zoning conditions at your location, if you live near an airport.

Check how close the house is to an airport - all federally-leased airports and many non-federally leased airports in Australia produce master plans which outline future growth plans of the airport, including 20-year forecasts for aircraft movements. Master plans are available on airport websites. Small airports or aerodromes are often bases for circuit training which can cause persistent aircraft noise.
Find out if the house is under a flight path - The term ‘flight path’ is used to refer to the mapped three-dimensional corridor where aircraft fly most of the time. Flight paths can be a number of kilometres wide, rather than the single lines depicted on flight charts (maps). Aircraft may fly differently within these corridors for a range of reasons, including aircraft performance (including type, speed and weight), and navigation systems. Aircraft may deviate from flight paths for a range of reasons, including weather and operational requirements. Visit WebTrak, our Airports page or contact our Noise Complaints and Information Service to find out more about aircraft operations in your area.
Visit the location on different dates, in different seasons, times and when the wind is blowing in different directions - aircraft land and take-off into the wind and wind direction helps decide which runways can be used, which has a major impact on the amount of noise. When the runway direction changes the flight paths in use change and the areas affected also change.
Talk to locals - see what their perception of noise in the area is and ask about seasonal variations in noise levels.
Check to see if the area is a popular tourist spot - there may be tourist services such as sightseeing flights and skydiving or patrol and rescue services nearby.
Check where the local hospitals are - medical emergency helicopters may operate at any time of the day or night, as required.
Check if there are any planning requirements - planning authorities may have requirements on building or renovating a home near an airport. See 'What are ANEFs and how do they affect me' below for more information.
Consider your lifestyle - are you going to be home during the day? Do you spend time outside or sleep with the windows open in the summer months?
Check the construction of the home -Is it well insulated from noise?

What affects the amount of noise I can hear inside my house?

The amount of aircraft noise heard within a building depends on:

the location, elevation and orientation of the building compared to the aircraft flight paths
the types, times and frequency of aircraft operating
meteorological conditions (including wind, cloud cover and temperature)
the type of layout used in the building
the construction and ventilation of the building
the internal acoustic

The major entry points for external noise are windows, doors, ventilation openings and other cracks and openings.

How can I reduce the impact of aircraft noise at home?

Methods for reducing external noise in homes can include:

facing windows away from noise sources
minimising the use of hard exterior surfaces such as paving as this reflects sound rather than absorbs it
using insulation in the ceiling to close gaps in roof tiles
using materials such as acoustic insulation for internal and external walls, floors and ceilings using double glazing and laminated glass windows
using screen walls to shield external noise
using sound absorbing materials such as acoustic tiles, carpet, curtains and noise reduction underlays to help absorb sound and control sound reverberation
ensuring windows and door seals are properly fitted and fixed repairing any gaps or installing new window seals to help noise reduction
installing air conditioning rather than relying on open windows to help reduce external noise, particularly for rooms used for sleeping
using external solid core doors with acoustic seals

If you are mainly affected by noise at night, you could consider these methods for rooms used for sleeping. This will achieve effective noise reduction without the expense of treating your whole home.

Further information and ideas about noise control can be found on the Your Home website.

The National Construction Code provides further information on the minimum necessary requirements for new buildings (and new building work in existing buildings).

If you are considering sound insulation for your home, it may be useful to contact an acoustic consultant to ensure your proposed changes will provide effective noise reduction. More information can be found at the Association of Australian Acoustical Consultants (AAAC) website.

What are ANEFs and how do the affect me?

Australian Noise Exposure Forecasts (ANEFs) are noise contours that are prepared by airports, technically endorsed by Airservices, and used by state, territory and local government planning authorities for land-use zoning purposes around airports.

Current and future ANEFs may impact what you can build and how you can build (or renovate) your property.

You can contact your local airport to get a copy of their endorsed ANEF, or check on the airport or local council website as many publish ANEFs online.

If you are planning to build or renovate near an airport you should speak to your planning authority (for example local council) about any impacts or requirements you may need to consider.

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What should I consider?