Aircraft Noise
As aviation demand has changed, Essendon Fields Airport has continued to evolve, playing a crucial role for our state.
The airport played a central role in the economic and social development of Melbourne during the 20th century, as the aviation gateway between our city and the rest of the world.
Today Essendon Fields Airport still plays a critical role as homebase for many of Victoria’s Emergency Air Services, alongside general aviation activity and corporate jet operations, maintenance and repair.
Airport safety is our number one priority, and we work collectively with governments, industry bodies, airline carriers and aircraft operators to minimise the impact of our operations on the local community.
Essendon Fields Airport has a curfew period which applies to aircraft from 11pm until 6am. The curfew was put in place to minimise the impact of aircraft noise on nearby residents.
A limited number of aircraft types are allowed to operate during the curfew, including emergency service aircraft, and any aircraft that need to land for safety reasons.
The rules for the curfew at Essendon Fields Airport are laid down in the Air Navigation (Essendon Airport) Regulations 2018 and administered by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and Arts. You can find more information on the Department website.
Airservices Australia monitors which aircraft operate during curfew periods and provides reports to the Department. The Department is the only organisation that can make a determination of a curfew violation and prosecute an airline or aircraft operator for breaching the rules.
In January 2010, Essendon Airport PTY LTD (EAPL) established a Community Aviation Consultation Group (CACG). The CACG replaced the Essendon Airport Noise Management Working Group.
- The CACG is the primary community consultation forum for noise issues. Attendees at the CACG meetings include:
- The member of Federal Parliament for the seat of Wills (contact Peter Khalil MP)
- The member of State Parliament for the seat of Essendon (click here to contact Danny Pearson MP)
- A local Ward Councillor for Moonee Valley City Council (click here to contact Cr Hamish Jones)
- A community representative nominated by the Federal Member for Wills
- A community representative nominated by the Federal Member for Maribyrnong
- Two senior representatives from EAPL.
- Representatives of Airservices Australia (AA) and the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts are invited guests at each meeting. The Aircraft Noise Ombudsman has also attended meetings of the CACG.
Initiatives undertaken by EAPL in conjunction with the CACG include:
- Implementation of the first Fly Neighbourly Agreement (FNA) in Australia;
- Local fly neighbourly procedures to encourage helicopter operations at the northern end of runway 17/35 to use the green belt area;
- An EAPL staff member spending the night at the home of a local resident to gain a better appreciation of the noise issues that were impacting this particular resident;
- Arrangements were made for a resident to meet EAPL’s CEO and Chief Pilot of a local airfreight company to discuss their concerns and gain a better understanding of this particular business;
- A new engine test site which uses the existing formation of the adjacent freeway overpass to absorb noise was trialled and is now a confirmed location for engine test runs.
- Publication of a Community Information Booklet
THE TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE CACG GROUP IS AVAILABLE HERE.
Minutes of meetings will be made available on the Essendon Fields Airport website after approval by the Community Aviation Consultation Group.
15 March 2024, 156kb
14 June 2024, 156kb
4 October 2024, 153kb
6 December 2024, 149kb
14 March 2025, 152kb
20 June 2025, 164kb
12 September 2025, 180kb
11 December 2025, 275kb
13 March 2026, 169kb
19 June 2026, 168kb
On recommendation from the CACG, a Community Information Booklet has been published, providing information about our consultation approach, flight paths, curfew hours, airport noise mitigation strategies and other important information.
If you would like a copy of the booklet, please contact us on (03) 9948 9400. Alternatively, a copy of the booklet can be viewed by clicking on the following link:
All aircraft noise complaints in the first instance should be lodged with Airservices Australia.
The goal of Airservices Australia is to provide information to the community about flight paths and aircraft movements in the area, to help residents access information and resources that explain how air traffic is managed, and to help manage noise complaints and concerns.
To lodge a complaint or make an enquiry about aircraft operations, you can use the following options:
- Aircraft in Your Neighbourhood Portal – an online tool where you can find information on flight paths and aircraft movements for your address – Click here.
- Online Enquiry – Go to WebTrak to see the flight path details of any aircraft of concern
- Online Complaint – Click here
- Complaint – 1800 802 584, free call, Mon to Fri (excluding public holidays) 10am to 4pm (Sydney time)
If you are not satisfied with the service received, you can lodge your complaint with the Aircraft Noise Ombudsman online: www.ano.gov.au or write to:
Aircraft Noise Ombudsman
GPO Box 1985
Canberra, ACT 2601
The Airports (Environmental Protection) Regulations 1997 do not apply to noise generated by aircraft in flight, when landing, taking off or taxiing at the airport. However, noise emissions emitted from ground-based activities are subject to the Regulations.
Ground based noise sources include engine maintenance tests and pre-flight system checks of aircraft, maintenance activities, vehicle traffic and construction activities.
Engine maintenance tests are restricted at Essendon Fields Airport to the following hours:
7.00 am – 6.00 pm, Monday to Friday
10.00 am – 6.00 pm, Saturday and Sunday
Most complaints about aircraft ground based noise are about pre-flight system checks (run-ups) which are a mandatory safety requirement prior to flight for non-jet engine aircraft types. Few run-ups exceed five minutes in duration, but run-ups do occur when the ambient background noise is at lower levels.
Aircraft noise will always arise as part of an airport’s operation, and while modern aircraft are becoming quieter, considerable ongoing attention is required to manage the noise associated with an airport.
While aircraft flight paths and responses to noise created by aviation movements are primarily the responsibility of Airservices Australia, EAPL takes a proactive approach to noise impacts on the community.
Initiatives undertaken by EAPL in conjunction with the Community Aviation Consultation Group (CACG) include the implementation of the first Fly Neighbourly Agreement in Australia. A copy of the Fly Neighbourly Agreement can be viewed by clicking on the following link: