Gold Coasters who care about aircraft noise
Dedicated to protecting gold coasters from the unnecessary impacts of aircraft noise
What We Offer
About Us
Protecting Gold Coasters’ Lifestyle
Our legal, incorporated name is Gold Coast Lifestyle Association Inc, a not-for-profit community group which largely represents those living and working north of the Airport.
However most know as us Stop Flight Path Impacts – formerly known as Stop the ILS Flight Path – and we are committed to keeping the natural beauty of the Gold Coast, and the lifestyle it offers, protected from unnecessary noise and airborne pollution associated with Gold Coast Airport.
Fighting Unreasonable Flight Path Impacts
Our group grew out of community outrage over Gold Coast Airport and Airservices Australia’s ILS flight path commissioned in 2019 which takes planes over the most densely populated parts of the city that previously rarely experienced overhead jet passenger flights. Learn more about the reasons for our opposition to the ILS when it was announced.
The Federal Govt’s original ILS approval would have meant any plane, any day, any weather could fly over suburbs rarely before impacted by flight paths, after Gold Coast Airport and Airservices Australia argued the ILS was needed for greater landing reliability in bad weather.
Advocating for Responsible Growth
But through the huge and costly battle by our group challenging this Govt approval in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal in 2016, the community won conditions that restrict ILS usage so aircraft must use all other flight paths ahead of the ILS, unless the flight meets certain bad weather conditions, is operationally required or for emergencies. Training flights of certain aircraft size can also use it.
See here for when the ILS is allowed to be used and what to do if you are impacted by aircraft noise.
Our Current Focus
We remain focussed on getting outcomes related to adherence to flight paths, curfews and noise abatement procedures, directions for environmental monitoring programs, and key matters for the Airport’s Master Plans.
Stop Flight Path Impacts is not anti-airport or anti-development. We are pro-sustainable development.
And for any detractors who tell us we have no right to complain when we chose to live near an airport, we say… many of us didn’t. Most of our members and supporters from as far north as Surfers aren’t anywhere near Coolangatta and didn’t live under a flight path until recent years.
Airport Community Updates
Regular Airport Community Updates The Gold Coast Airport Community Aviation Consultation Group (CACG) is a formal community forum where local residents, industry, and government meet quarterly. Gold Coast Lifestyle Association (Stop Flight Path Impacts) is on the CACG, ensuring resident perspectives are part of discussions on aircraft operations, flight paths, noise, and community impacts. The CACG publishes minutes from every meeting so the broader community can see what was discussed.
If you’re curious to know more about flights directly over your home or business, Airservices Australia has an online resource with statistics that might interest you. Aircraft in your Neighbourhood offers diagrams, information and reasonably recent reporting specific to Gold Coast suburbs around what flight paths pass over your home, aircraft noise levels, curfew and basic noise abatement procedures, reasonably recent ILS flight path usage, aircraft noise levels, links to the WebTrak online tool to investigate specific flights and links to lodge aircraft noise complaints
How to Stay Informed
Become a community member by Following or Liking our Facebook page. There’s no cost and no commitment and you will be kept informed with updates, actions you can take, and community news. Whether you’re a long-time resident or new to the area, get involved with a community that is genuinely passionate about protecting our lifestyle.
Website
By visiting our website, you can stay updated on our ongoing efforts regarding flight paths, noise abatement procedures, and essential environmental monitoring.
Newsletter
Become a community member by subscribing to our newsletter. Stay informed with updates, actions you can take, and community news. There’s no cost and no commitment required – just staying connected means you’re part of the ongoing effort.
Recent Facebook Posts
Following are our three most recent Facebook posts. Click “Show more Show less” to view each post’s full comment. To view the timeline and each post’s reactions, please open the page on Facebook.
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https://mailchi.mp/74bf1651f6d0/march-2026-newsletter
#SFPI
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📜 What rules apply to helicopters?
Unlike planes, helicopters operate under different constraints:
• There are no strict noise limits once a helicopter is airborne. Noise standards apply when aircraft are certified, but there’s no ongoing noise cap while flying.
• Helicopters are generally expected to fly at 1,000 ft over built-up areas and 500 ft elsewhere, unless they are taking off, landing, or conducting necessary operations (like emergency services, police, media or construction work).
• They don’t have to stick to fixed flight paths and may be directed by air traffic control to fly or hover in certain areas.
• Hovering is allowed and sometimes required for operational or safety reasons. (Source: Airservices Australia – Helicopter Operations)
🔊 You can still make a noise complaint. If helicopter noise is bothering you, you can lodge a complaint with Airservices Australia.
📝 Making a complaint:
• Records what residents are experiencing on the ground
• Helps identify repeat issues or patterns
• Allows Airservices to explain why a particular flight occurred
• Contributes to long-term reviews of aircraft operations and noise impacts
🔗 You can submit complaints online, or by phone. Including your suburb, time, and what you experienced helps link the noise to specific flights. Links to flight trackers and the noise complaint
portal can be found in the footer on every page of our website: https://www.flightpathgc.com/
✅ Complaints won’t instantly stop helicopters, but they do matter. If no one reports the problem, it’s assumed there isn’t one. If helicopter noise is affecting you, put it on the record. That’s how
community impacts are acknowledged and taken into account.
#SFPI