Interactive Aircraft Noise Tool
Master Plan 2027
This tool presents the aircraft noise modelling prepared as part of the consultation process for the preliminary Draft Master Plan 2027.
It includes the Standard 20-year ANEF prepared for this Master Plan and Number above (n-above) contours informing off-airport planning.
Related resources
The noise modelling contained in the Master Plan 2027 is based on the draft Noise Sharing Plan consulted on with community and industry in August 2026. Visit the Noise Sharing Plan website for more information and access to the detailed flight path and aircraft noise tool.
Noise Sharing Plan Melbourne Airport is preparing a Noise Sharing and Airspace Concept Plan to give communities periods of respite from aircraft noise through carefully designed flight paths and runway operations.Further information on current aircraft operations can be viewed on the Airservices Australia website:
Airservices Aircraft in your neighbourhood tool Airservices website WebTrak toolInteractive Aircraft Noise Tool / Master Plan 2027
What is an ANEF?
The Australian Noise Exposure Forecast (ANEF) is the national standard for forecasting aircraft noise around airports.
It helps governments, planning authorities, and communities make informed decisions about land use and building design in areas affected by aircraft noise.
Airports are required to update the ANEF for each Master Plan.
Who uses the ANEF?
An ANEF is defined in the Airports Act 1996 as being ‘endorsed in the manner approved by the Minister’. This requires technical endorsement by Airservices Australia. A new ANEF must be obtained and specified within the draft Master Plan submitted to the Minister for approval.
The 2027 ANEF was technically endorsed by Airservices on 17 July 2026.
The 2027 ANEF considers the following scenarios (concepts):
ExistingTwo runway system:
- Historic operations in 2025
- At capacity (as per the Master Plan 2022 modelling)
FutureThree runway system:
- Implementation of the Noise Sharing Plan
- Five years after implementation of the Noise Sharing Plan
- At 2047 (20-year horizon)
Three drivers have resulted in the ANEF looking different compared to previous Master Plans:
- The Conditions of Approval for the Third Runway Major Development Plan require a standard 20-year ANEF to support delivery of the Noise Amelioration Plan and Program. This is a change from previous Master Plans, where the ANEF has been either Ultimate or 30-year. The new ANEF does not include the long-term four runway layout.
- The draft Noise Sharing Plan has updated the runway operating modes and flight paths for the three runway system.
- An updated forecast since the Master Plan 2022, both in terms of annual movements and fleet mix.
Further information on previous ANEFs for Melbourne Airport can be found in the following resource:
DocumentMelbourne Airport’s noise contours and reportsInteractive Aircraft Noise Tool / Master Plan 2027
ANEF contours interactive map
2027 Australian Noise Exposure Forecast (ANEF)
The ANEF shows the cumulative noise effect of a full year of operations taking into account:
- Seasonal changes in weather patterns, and
- airline schedules
The resulting contours show an average day based on the total noise exposure over a 12-month period.
Find an address
Search an address below to add a pin to the map
Loading the ANEF map
Interactive Aircraft Noise Tool / Master Plan 2027
ANEF contours and the Noise Amelioration Plan
The Conditions of Approval for the Third Runway Major Development Plan require Melbourne Airport to prepare and finalise a Noise Amelioration Plan.
The plan must describe the Noise Amelioration Program Melbourne Airport will implement to reduce the impact of aircraft noise on eligible residential dwellings and childcare, healthcare, education and aged care facilities located within the 20-year ANEF 25 contour or higher for Melbourne Airport.
The Australian Noise Exposure Forecast (ANEF) for Melbourne Airport is included in Melbourne Airport’s approved Master Plan and is updated through the master planning process required under the Airports Act 1996.
Further information can be found on the Noise Amelioration Plan and Program website.
Project websiteMelbourne Airport’s Noise Amelioration Plan and ProgramInteractive Aircraft Noise Tool / Master Plan 2027
What is an n-above contour?
N-above is used to show how often loud aircraft noise events are experienced in a particular area.
The “N” stands for number above and the number that follows refers to a decibel level. N-above refers to the number of aircraft noise events above a specific decibel level.
The National Airport Safeguarding Framework recommends the following n-above contours are considered in off-airport planning:
Interactive Aircraft Noise Tool / Master Plan 2027
N-Above contours interactive map
Master Plan 2027
N-above contours
The contours opposite have been prepared considering two, three and four runway operations.
The contours are recommended by the National Airport Safeguarding Framework when considering noise-sensitive developments.
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Loading the n-above map
Interactive Aircraft Noise Tool / Master Plan 2027
Melbourne Airport Environs Overlay
The Victorian State Government has planned for the protection of the four-runway layout at Melbourne Airport since 1990.
Planning controls were first introduced in 1992 through a Melbourne Airport Environs Area. In 2007, the State introduced the Melbourne Airport Environs Overlay (MAEO). This was then updated in 2021.
The MAEO could be updated again in the future to reflect Commonwealth endorsed ANEFs in future updated Master Plans. Some properties that are not included within the MAEO may be affected by future ANEF and Master Plan changes.
- 1990State begins planning protection for four-runway layout
- 1992Melbourne Airport Environs Area introduced
- 2007Victorian State Government introduces the MAEO
- 2021MAEO updated
Further information on the MAEO can be found on the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) website.
Department of Transport and Planning websiteMelbourne Airport has prepared historical information on the planning controls within the ‘A History of Noise Planning for Melbourne Airport’ booklet:
BookletA History of Noise Planning for Melbourne AirportInteractive Aircraft Noise Tool / Master Plan 2027
Next steps
To make a submission on Master Plan 2027, click the link below
Have your say on the Melbourne Airport Master Plan 2027