Noise Management Program Gets Boost

Noise Management Program Key Priority for 2011

TPA Releases Status Update on Noise Mitigation

The Toronto Port Authority (TPA) today released a one-year status update on the independent Jacobs Consultancyreport submitted last February, which recommended measures to improve noise mitigation at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.

Geoff Wilson, the Port Authority’s CEO said he was pleased to report that the TPA has moved to action all recommendations, starting with the establishment of a community liaison committee, and a customer service commitment to deal with noise complaints within five (5) business days.

The Community Liaison Committee held its first meeting last night. The committee includes representatives from the residential communities as well as carriers from the airport, Waterfront Toronto and the local BIA. “The idea is to not only manage issues about noise, but to give our neighbours the chance to participate in the solutions,” Wilson said.

In response to the Jacobs report and requests from the community, Wilson said the TPA was in the process of overhauling the noise management system, to make it consistent with established best practices, starting with a new database that will capture information more accurately. “Once that’s working, the rest of the process – analysing data, informing the public, and monitoring and reporting – will fall into place quickly,” Wilson said. “We’re committed to being more responsive; our goal is for a five-day turnaround by the summer time.”

Wilson also said that he has put in place an experienced noise management team at the popular airport, which will be more responsive and accountable than ‘outsourcing’ the work, as recommended by Jacobs.

The TPA also plans to build new noise barriers on the island. Acoustic engineers have approved the designs, and barriers could be in place by this summer, Wilson said, noting that an environmental assessment was another requirement in the works to erect barriers.

Many of the other recommendations include improved procedures and protocols for pilots, all of which the TPA is currently discussing with the carriers, NAV Canada and pilots.

Download the status update report here.

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Contact: Suzanna Birchwood, Public Affairs and Communications Director, 416 863 2036/416 317 6405 (m)