Brisbane’s flight paths play a major role in shaping property liveability and long-term value. With the opening of the second runway at Brisbane Airport, many suburbs now experience new or increased aircraft activity. Understanding how these changes work, and what they mean for home buyers and investors, is essential for making informed property decisions.
Brisbane Flight Paths – Everything You Need to Know About the New Changes
The new runway has resulted in some changes to Brisbane flight paths and aircraft noise impacts for many residents around inner Brisbane.
On July 12 2020, the official opening of Brisbane’s much-anticipated second runway went ahead as scheduled, despite the impacts of Covid-19. The project took more than 15 years of planning and construction. With passenger numbers expected to increase to 50 million by 2035, this project was essential to keep up with growing demand and connect Queensland to the rest of the world for business and leisure.
Understanding Brisbane Aircraft Noise and Flight Path Impacts
It is no secret that doubling the capacity of an airport will bring double the traffic, and this is exactly the plan for Brisbane Airport. Flight paths are essentially the “highways of the sky.” Just like motorways on the ground, they carry noise.
You might wonder who determines these flight paths, this is managed by Airservices Australia, based on weather, wind direction, airport capacity, flight direction, and other operational factors.
To help you understand the level of noise impact, please see the below diagram comparing decibel levels across Brisbane. A noise level of 70 decibels is likely to interfere with indoor conversations (with windows open) according to Australian standards.
When comparing Brisbane’s flight paths with other major airports, you’ll notice vast differences. Brisbane Airport is around 6 km from residential housing, whereas in some states airports are only 600 m away from homes, providing Brisbane residents with comparatively lower exposure.
Top 10 Brisbane Suburbs Affected by New Flight Paths
| Suburb | No. Flights above 70db (two Runways) | No. Flights above 70db (one runway) |
| 1. Balmoral | 20 to 49 Flights | 0 Flights |
| 2. Hemmant | 20 to 49 Flights | 10 to 19 Flights |
| 3. Cannon Hill | 20 to 49 Flights | 50 or more Flights |
| 4. Pinkenba | 20 to 49 Flights | 50 or more flights |
| 5. Hawthorne | 10 to 19 Flights | 0 Flights |
| 6. Hamilton | 10 to 19 Flights | 2 to 4 Flights |
| 7. Seven Hills | 10 to 19 Flights | 10 to 19 Flights |
| 8. Ascot | 5 to 9 Flights | 0 Flights |
| 9. Bulimba | 5 to 9 Flights | 5 to 9 Flights |
| 10. New Farm | 2 to 4 Flights | 0 Flights |
Several new suburbs have now been impacted since the second runway became operational. Others have seen reduced effects as flights are spread across both runways, easing pressure on any single route.
The most heavily affected suburb, Balmoral, increased from 0 to 20–49 flights above 70 decibels, a major change.
Other impacted areas include Hemmant, Hawthorne, Hamilton, Ascot, and New Farm.
As Brisbane grows, aircraft noise exposure is expected to rise with flight demand.
How Brisbane Flight Paths Affect Property Values and Buyer Decisions
Impact on Property Values
According to a study led by the Queensland University of Technology, there has been no reported historical impact from aircraft noise on capital growth potential or property demand in Brisbane. The study provided a comprehensive analysis of how aircraft noise affects Brisbane’s residential sectors and found that suburbs with strong aircraft noise exposure have performed just as well as those that did not.
However, with the opening of Brisbane Airport’s second runway effectively doubling capacity, it remains to be seen whether this trend will continue over time.
Considerations for Investors and Home Buyers
The study also showed that price growth tends to be influenced more by location, particularly proximity to the CBD, than by aircraft noise. This trend mirrors findings from other Australian capital cities.
While there is currently no published evidence showing that aircraft noise directly affects long-term capital growth in Brisbane suburbs, some shifts in buyer demand could emerge as new flight paths and increased air traffic take effect. Buyers may start to prefer comparable suburbs that are less affected by aircraft noise, especially in high-impact areas such as Ascot, Hamilton, and Balmoral.
How Streamline Property Buyers Assesses Flight Path Risk
At Streamline Property Buyers, our licensed buyers agents monitor ongoing changes to Brisbane’s flight paths to help clients make informed property decisions. We assess each property individually using flight path maps, environmental data, and local knowledge to determine potential risks or impacts on future value and liveability.
How to Check Brisbane Airport Flight Paths and Noise Maps
There will always be some level of aircraft noise depending on wind, time of day, and seasonal changes. To check if your property is affected, follow this step-by-step process:
- Visit the official Brisbane Airport Live Flight Tracker (Casper Flight Tracker).
- Zoom in or search for your suburb or nearby area to view real-time flight paths and noise monitor data.
- Compare what you see with Brisbane Airport’s published noise contour maps to understand long-term noise exposure.
- Check both daytime and nighttime flight data for a complete picture of activity and noise levels.
- Consult your buyers agent at Streamline Property for personalised advice and property assessments.
This tool should be part of your property-buying due diligence checklist now and into the future.
Useful Resources and Tools for Brisbane Flight Path Research
Here are the most reliable sources to stay updated on Brisbane airport flight paths and aircraft noise data:
- Airservices Australia – Official authority on airspace and noise monitoring
- Brisbane Airport Corporation – Project details and community updates
- Brisbane Flight Path Community Alliance – Advocacy and research insights
- BNE Flight Path Map Tool – Interactive mapping for noise and routes
- Queensland University of Technology (QUT) – Studies on aircraft noise and property impacts
Summary – What Brisbane Buyers Should Take Away
When comparing capital cities, Brisbane Airport remains relatively well-positioned, set further from residential neighbourhoods than many interstate airports. This provides an advantage in overall noise mitigation.
Key takeaways for Brisbane buyers
- Brisbane flight paths do affect liveability and buyer perception.
- Long-term property value impact varies by suburb and property type.
- Always use available flight path tools before buying.
- Partner with a trusted team offering comprehensive buyers agent services who understand these risks and can interpret official data to guide your property decisions.
If you are considering purchasing a property in Brisbane, our experienced investment property buyers agents can help you assess flight path exposure and secure the right property with confidence. The range of services offered by Streamline Property Buyers Agents provides expert guidance to ensure your investment decisions are well-informed and strategic.
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