March 2, 2021
Province Receives Noise Study and Planning Study Around Winnipeg International Airport
– – –Data Crucial to Guiding Decisions on Development: Johnson
The Manitoba government has received two reports reviewing noise levels and planning policies that can be used to guide development decisions around the Winnipeg James A. Richardson International Airport, Municipal Relations Minister Derek Johnson announced today.
“This is an important and long-overdue step forward for Manitoba’s largest airport and the area surrounding it. Current land-use policies have not been updated in a quarter of a century and are based on outdated forecasts of aircraft noise,” said Johnson. “Up-to-date scientific data on noise in the vicinity of the airport is crucial to help guide decisions on the type and scale of development that can occur safely, while fostering the airport’s continued growth and ensuring the city develops in an orderly and efficient manner.”
The Noise Exposure Forecast (NEF) is the official measurement used in Canada for aircraft noise assessment. Transport Canada considers residential development incompatible with airport operations in areas that exceed specific noise thresholds. The study found that areas with predicted high noise exposures are substantially reduced due to factors including quiet and more efficient aircrafts and changes to the mix of aircraft flying into Winnipeg, as compared from the original forecast made in the mid-1990s.
The planning report reviews regulations and bylaws related to land use in the vicinity of the airport, and compares Winnipeg to other Canadian cities with major airports. It makes recommendations for all levels of government to update regulations and bylaws to accommodate increased economic activity around the airport, while protecting the airport’s ability to operate on a 24-hour basis.
A copy of the report can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/mr/land_use_dev/cywg.html.
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