Western Sydney Airport preliminary flight paths released

The preliminary flight paths for Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI) have been made public.

For additional transparency, the preliminary flight paths, along with estimated aircraft noise impacts, are now available to communities through an online interactive Aircraft Overflight Noise Tool.

This tool will let people search an address or location and get a clear picture of impact of the preliminary flight paths including the expected altitude at that location, daily aircraft numbers and the predicted aircraft noise.

Supporting material has also been released to explain the approaches to the preliminary flight paths design and noise modelling.

My department will hold community information and feedback sessions as well as community information stalls across Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains over the coming months. Communities will be able to find out more information and speak with the flight path design team at these events.

These preliminary flight paths have been developed by an Expert Steering Group led by my department and including AirServices Australia, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, Department of Defence and airport operator WSA Co.

Importantly, the preliminary flight paths were developed according to Airspace Design Principles that reflect community feedback from the ‘proof-of-concept’ flight paths released in 2015. These principles include minimising flights over residential areas and reducing the impact on the community of aircraft operations at night.

Later this year, we will release a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that examines the noise, social and environmental impacts of the preliminary flight paths and includes a draft noise insulation and property acquisition policy.

The Albanese Government is committed to balancing the needs of the community, environment, industry and users of the broader Greater Sydney airspace, while maintaining safety as a priority, in the design of WSI’s flight paths.

That is why the community will be able to provide feedback on the draft EIS during a formal public exhibition period following its release. This feedback will be considered as we finalise the flight path design ahead of the new airport starting operations by late 2026.

I encourage people to visit our Online Community Portal at wsiflightpaths.gov.au to use the Aircraft Overflight Noise Tool, read the supporting material, and get details of the community information and feedback sessions.