Melbourne Airport seeks feedback on draft plan to share aircraft noise
Melbourne residents have until 2 October to comment on a draft plan that will help determine how aircraft noise is shared when the airport’s third runway opens around 2031. The Australian Government requires Melbourne Airport to develop the Noise Sharing Plan as part of the approval process for the third runway.
Feedback from the current consultation will be used to update the draft plan, with further public consultation expected in 2027 before the plan is submitted to the Federal Government for approval. The draft Noise Sharing Plan outlines how Melbourne Airport’s three runways and flight paths could be used to manage aircraft noise across the city.
The plan does not eliminate aircraft noise. Instead, it proposes varying runway use and flight paths where possible to give communities periods of respite, while maintaining safety and responding to weather and operational conditions. Melbourne Airport says some communities will experience aircraft noise for the first time, while others will experience more noise than they do today.
The airport has developed an interactive Flight Path and Noise Tool that allows residents to explore expected aircraft activity and how noise may change near their homes. The draft plan is the second round of consultation on how aircraft noise could be shared when Melbourne Airport begins operating three runways. More than 550 people across Melbourne took part in surveys, community sessions and webinars during the first round of consultation between October and December 2025. Participants raised concerns about aircraft noise and provided feedback to help shape the draft plan.
Independent consultants Trax and GHD were appointed by Melbourne Airport to develop the Noise Sharing Plan and lead community and stakeholder engagement.The consultation materials, including the draft plan, fact sheets and online survey, are published in English.
Feedback on the draft Noise Sharing Plan is open until 11.59pm on Friday, 2 October 2026. Residents can view the draft plan, use the Flight Path and Noise Tool and submit feedback through the official Melbourne Airport Noise Sharing Plan.
