Major changes to flight paths are underway across Australia’s three largest cities.

Brisbane’s new runway has already shifted aircraft noise onto suburbs that never experienced it before.

Western Sydney Airport’s finalised routes will bring flight paths to entirely new parts of the city from 2026. Sydney’s Mascot Airport has also released a draft plan for 2045, signalling further changes to flight patterns and noise exposure as flight numbers grow. It forecasts a 75% increase in annual passengers.

Melbourne’s proposed third runway would alter noise patterns across the city’s west for decades.

In each case, thousands of residents who did not buy or rent under a flight path may soon be exposed to regular aircraft noise. For many, the expected noise levels are significant.

Decades of international research show well-documented and consistent links between long-term exposure to aircraft noise and harms to health and wellbeing – as well as hits to property values.

This raises questions for any community affected by new or redesigned flight paths. What exactly are these wellbeing and financial impacts, and how should they be recognised or offset? How do other countries address them?

Research from many countries shows long-term aircraft noise has clear and measurable effects on health, including sleep, children’s learning, wellbeing and mental health, and

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