Noise Mitigation
Information about airport noise and our noise mitigation programme
How We Manage Noise
Our approach to aircraft noise management is guided by our
Noise Management Plan. It sets out how we will liaise with the community, and
fund and deliver measures to reduce noise. It contains everything from
guidelines for the working of the Queenstown Airport Liaison Committee, to
details about how and when Queenstown Airport will help local homeowners meet
the cost of aircraft noise reduction measures for their homes.
View the NoiseManagement Plan.
Queenstown Airport’s operative noise boundaries allow us to meet the anticipated growth of passenger numbers and aircraft movements into the future. The changes set out how we will help fund measures to reduce internal noise for those existing homes that are most affected before the predicted noise levels are reached.
View the Noise Contours map which shows the max noise boundaries applicable to Queenstown Airport.
The Airport has three noise boundaries:
Inner Noise Boundary
Also known as the Air Noise Boundary (ANB). Within this area, aircraft noise reaches levels of 65 decibels or greater on average measured over a 24-hour period.
Mid Noise Boundary
Within this area, aircraft noise reaches levels greater than 60, but less than 65 decibels on average measured over a 24-hour period.
Outer Noise Boundary
Also known as the Outer Control Boundary (OCB). Houses are deemed to lie within the Outer area if they are subject to aircraft noise levels of at least 55 decibels on average measured over a 24-hour period.
Each year Queenstown Airport prepares Annual Aircraft Noise Contours (CAANC), which show where noise from aircraft flying overhead averages, over a year, 55 dBLDN, 60 dBLDN and 65 dBLDN.
The contours give the public an indication of how aircraft noise at any time compares to the final noise boundary allowed for in the operative district plan. The contours also give homeowners in the noise areas an indication of when they are likely to receive offers of acoustic treatment. Noise mitigation will be offered when, or just before, the actual noise contour reaches a property. More properties will become eligible for noise reduction funding as aircraft movements gradually increase.
Queenstown Airport 2021 Noise Compliance Report
The Queenstown Airport Liaison Committee (QALC) was formed in October 2013 and meets quarterly. It's purpose is to provide the opportunity for the Airport, the community and other stakeholders to engage regarding issues related to noise at Queenstown Airport.
At the meetings the QALC is presented with information about noise complaints/queries from the residents and monitors how Queenstown Airport deals with those complaints, aircraft activities, unplanned engine testing incidents, and the airport’s operational report which includes updates on the Noise Mitigation Programme. The Annual Aircraft Noise Contours are also reviewed according to a scheduled timetable by the QALC and members of the public who have contacted the airport with a complaint about noise are invited to raise their concerns at the start of the meeting.
There are 11 committee members comprising an independent chairperson, 4 community representatives, 1 QLDC representative, 1 Airways NZ representative, 1 airline representative, 1 general aviation representative and 2 Queenstown Airport representatives.
The current members of the QALC are:xxx
We have a range of noise-reducing measures that are offered to home owners depending on which noise boundary the property is located in.
Each home will be individually assessed by our group of experts for acoustic treatment, dependent on where the house lies in. The offer of acoustic treatment for those homes in the Inner and Mid Noise Boundaries is open for 12 months. It is important to note you do not have to take up this offer.
Inner Noise Boundary
Queenstown Airport will fund 100% of the noise reduction costs for existing homes within this sector. This will generally include both sound insulation and ventilation to ensure that interior noise caused by aircraft doesn’t exceed 40 decibels, on average measured over a 24-hour period. Acoustic insulation can use noise suppressing materials such as batts in ceilings, additional gib board, ensuring the windows have compression seals and double glazing. Insulation in walls and ceilings could be from materials such as fibreglass, polystyrene, wool and synthetic fibres. Each home will be individually assessed and provided with an individual report on what is recommended.
Mid Noise Boundary
Queenstown Airport will fund 75% of the cost towards installing a mechanical ventilation system. Shutting windows and doors reduces the impact of aircraft noise that might be experienced within your home, but it also reduces airflow. A great way to enable continued flow of fresh air and regulate the temperature inside your home while windows and doors stay closed, is to use a mechanical ventilation system. We are aiming to ensure average noise levels don’t exceed an average of 40 decibels over a 24-hour period inside the living areas of your home with your windows and doors closed.
Outer Noise Boundary
No noise reduction measures are offered for houses in this area.
You can view a map demonstrating the projected annual aircraft noise contours and the next area of our noise mitigation work here.
Do You Have A Noise Complaint?
If you have a noise complaint, you can submit the form below to tell us about it.
Submit A Noise Complaint