Animal sanctuaries near new Western Sydney airport fear disruptive aircraft noise

A sanctuary built on the former Bullens Animal World site, the Zambi Wildlife Retreat, shelters hundreds of exotic and native animals, including tigers, lions, meerkats, Przewalski horses and red pandas. Managing director Donna Wilson says the proximity of Western Sydney International Airport, roughly five kilometres from the runway, raises concerns about constant aircraft noise and visual disturbance for species that are sensitive to such stimuli.

Annette Cam, representing the Blue Mountains Conservation Society and serving on the Greater Blue Mountains Area Environmental Monitoring Program Stakeholder Group, echoes these worries, noting that the airport lies within ten kilometres of the Blue Mountains World Heritage boundary and thirteen kilometres from the Burragorang state conservation area, potentially affecting koalas and other native fauna. While a federal environmental impact assessment reported low to no impact on biodiversity, Cam points out the scarcity of Australian-specific research on noise effects.

Recent low-altitude flights by the Australian Defence Force have already unsettled some animals at the retreat. The department overseeing the airport emphasizes that flight paths were designed using the impact statement and community input, and highlights the project's role in creating more than 12,000 jobs during construction. Nonetheless, both Wilson and Cam stress that the long-term welfare of the animals remains uncertain as commercial flights ramp up.