Rally against military aircraft noise

By Tim E. Stewart

DARWIN -- Fifty people rallied on October 22 against the extreme noise pollution caused by jets operating out of Darwin airport as part of the “Pitch Black” war games.

The protesters gathered at dusk beneath the flight path in residential Ludmilla. Angry residents criticised the military exercises being held over Darwin when they could be relocated to the Tindaal RAAF base, less than 20 minutes' flying time away.

Speakers described how the explosive noise levels shattered windows, devalued properties and disrupted lives. The most affected areas include the Janinga Aboriginal nursing home and the Kulaluk and Minyaluk communities.

There have been eight aircraft safety incidents over Darwin airport in the last 10 years. Concerns were raised about live ammunition and liquid oxygen canisters being accidentally released.

Territory and local government representatives attended. They said there was little they could do to stop the exercises. However, during the rally jets took off in the opposite direction, proving that the RAAF exercises can be influenced by popular protest.

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