Recommendations are being considered to Noise Share and Noise Split over communities around Pearson Airport by the GTAA (Greater Toronto Airport Authority). Think of the loudest day this past summer for airplane noise, and imagine that every other weekend from May to October. This will have a huge negative impact on Long Branch if it is allowed to go through.
| | 2015 | 2017 | by 2037 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of passengers | 41 million | 47 million | 85 million |
The number of passengers in and out of Pearson will double over the next 20 years. This means more planes and more noise over Long Branch regardless but the proposed Noise Sharing and Noise Splitting will make it a far greater impact. Airplane noise is a direct threat to our health and well being, quality of life, environment and property values.
In 1996, when the second North/South Runway was completed, Transport Canada issued an information bulletin that stated, “Airport management is proposing to use the new runway (15R/33L) primarily for landings to minimize noise impacts and has furthermore committed that operations on the new runway will be limited to those periods when weather mandated (strong crosswinds incapacitating use of the parallel east/west runways) or required due to other exceptional circumstances (existing north/south runway out of service, disabled aircraft, or other safety concerns).” It was never intended to be a regularly used runway as would occur under Noise Sharing and Noise Splitting.
What can you do now?
- Fill out a Noise Complaint each time you are bothered by loud airplanes overhead (see below)
- Be informed. Two recent reports outline the issues that are being discussed and options under consideration a) Best Practices in Noise Management – Executive Summary (Sept 2017) and b) Toronto Pearson Residents’ Reference Panel on Airport Growth and Noise Fairness
- Join the newly formed Long Branch Neighbourhood Association Airplane Noise Committee by contacting us through email: LongBranchNATO@gmail.com
- Access WebTrak. WebTrak is an online tool that provides near-real time and historical flight data so community members can see what’s overhead and monitor noise levels. You will see data from a noise monitor on top of James S. Bell School.
Register a noise complaint each time a low flying, loud plane flies over your home. It only takes a minute. Toronto Pearson Noise Management Office tracks and reports regularly on these complaints and will get back to you with the reason for the noise situation.
On November 14, 2017, the Association was featured in an article by Cynthia Reason in the Etobicoke Guardian. We look forward to sharing many more important stories and accomplishments about our unique lakeside community.