"It seems people perceive aircraft noise through their eyes and not their ears."
Dr Don McMichael
Commissioner
Well, folks, not only "people".
Some time ago, when the consideration was minor airspace changes in the Sydney area, the Airservices Environmental Impact Statement, EIS, rejected the changes (a minor realignment of the southern boundary of Richmond zone to make life just a little bit easier for GA) ) on the ground of environment degradation, the degradation being the sight of an aircraft where aircraft were not normally seen, even if the aircraft could not be heard.
I kid you not.
Even sillier, in terms of environmental noise, for background noise, it is one of the nosiest parts of Sydney, with heavy rail, freeway, highway and lots of heavy industry, motor sports park. The EIS formally assessed additional aircraft noise was nil. The boundary remains unchanged.
Tootle Pip!!