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• The ERSA Rule
• CURFEW
• Local Law

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The Existing ERSA Rule

There seems to be a lot of CONFUSION about this En-Route Supplement Australia Directive which states - “Aircraft above 5700kg require the prior approval of Maroochy Shire Council to operate between the hours of 10.00pm to 7.00am”.

For instance, we have just learned that it applies to Sunshine Coast Airport only.
It was actually written into ERSA at the specific request of the Maroochy Shire Council.

So in allowing Sunstate to BREACH this Rule --

Somebody from Maroochy Shire Council, back in the past had the forethought to try to prevent the very problems we are facing today.

Alan Kerlin told the Marcoola Progress Association that the ERSA rule was INEFFECTIVE and Not Working and that that was why we needed a Curfew.
Unfortunately, at that time he believed that, because Sunstate had already commenced its 5.25am service, the curfew would have to commence at 5.30am.

Then Cr. Joe Natoli, stated in a letter to us on 23/3/99 that;
The Airport Manager had SANCTIONED this 5.25 Flight” - And that
“He had the authority as Manager to do so without further consultation with Council”.

But Neil Weatherson is adamant that he DID NOT GIVE ANY SUCH APPROVAL and that Sunstate merely notified him of the fact as a feit accompli, 8 days before the service was due to commence when it was TOO LATE to for him to prevent. because they had already been selling tickets and taking bookings for months, and it couldn't simply be canceled at the last moment.

He tells us that they (Sunstate) have now lodged the correct application FOR COUNCIL APPROVAL and that Sunshine Express have ALSO done the same.

Neil is also on record as stating:

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NOISE CURFEW

In the SHORT TERM there is one problem which could be addressed IMMEDIATELY and at NO COST whatsoever to the Council Coffers. 
And that is... the introduction of an AIRPORT NOISE CURFEW.
The rest of us mortals in the shire are governed by a noise curfew. 
Why should The Aviation Industries be exempt ?

And as far as the Curfew only applying to CHARTER and RPT Services goes -

FURTHERMORE
We do NOT see the introduction of a 9.00pm to 6.00am Curfew as REPLACING
or OVER-RIDING the existing ERSA Rule.

The Sunshine Coast Airport has been allowed to develop over the past 20 years in the midst of our residential community.
With the introduction of; Jet Services, Flying Schools and On-site Maintenance Services this facility has become the BIGGEST source of Noise Pollution in the entire region, yet it is not mentioned in the Noise Schedule or even in the entire Local Law No.14 Document.
Why should the aviation industries not be governed by the same rules of conduct that the remainder of the coast population is subject to?

Council should draft a Special Section into this Local Law to deal with the ever-increasing Aircraft Noise Problem.
We need a NOISE CURFEW to govern operations at the airport more than any of activities listed in Column 1 of the Noise Schedule.
NONE of the other Noise Generating Activities are permitted before 7.00am or after 8.00pm, but we are subjected to the noise from aviation industries at any time of the day or night.

The WORST noise by far is caused by PILOT TRAINING NIGHT CIRCUITS and this activity shiuld be BANNED after 8.00pm the SAME as for ALL other activities.

Send Your submission to Council DEMANDING equal rights with the rest of the Shire Residents,
Address your letters to;
Mr. Chris Greaves
Health & Local Laws
Maroochy Shire Council etc.

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