The Australian Noise Exposure Forecast (ANEF) system measures aircraft noise exposure levels around airports and aerodromes across Australia. Understanding ANEF contours is essential for property development, land-use planning, and assessing residential suitability in areas affected by aircraft operations.
ANEF contours are measured in units, with higher numbers indicating greater noise exposure:
ANEF 15-20: Low noise exposure, minimal impact on residential amenity
ANEF 20-25: Moderate noise exposure, some impact on outdoor amenity
ANEF 25-30: Significant noise exposure, noise attenuation measures recommended
ANEF 30-35: High noise exposure, residential development generally not recommended
ANEF 35-40: Very high noise exposure, residential development strongly discouraged
ANEF 40+: Extreme noise exposure, residential development prohibited in most jurisdictions
Local government councils and planning authorities use ANEF contours to inform land-use planning decisions, development controls, and building requirements around airports.
This article explains how to access and use the ANEF Aircraft Noise planning layer in Landchecker to identify properties affected by aircraft noise and make informed decisions about development feasibility and land use.
Why Check ANEF Aircraft Noise Data?
Checking ANEF contours is important for:
Property developers: Assessing development feasibility and understanding building requirements in noise-affected areas
Town planners and architects: Ensuring development proposals comply with noise exposure guidelines and acoustic design standards
Real estate agents: Advising buyers and sellers about aircraft noise impacts on property value and amenity
Valuers: Assessing how noise exposure affects property valuations
Homebuyers and investors: Understanding potential aircraft noise impacts before purchasing property near airports
Local councils: Reviewing development applications in areas subject to aircraft noise exposure
ANEF Coverage in Landchecker
The ANEF Aircraft Noise planning layer is available nationally across Australia and includes data for:
Major capital city airports (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart, Darwin)
Regional airports serving commercial passenger flights
Federally leased airports and aerodromes
Military airbases with civilian operations
Selected general aviation airports with significant flight activity
ANEF data is sourced from the Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, and from airport master plans and environmental impact assessments.
Access requirements
The ANEF Aircraft Noise planning layer is available to Standard, Advanced, and Enterprise plan members. Free Starter plan members do not have access to this layer. If you do not currently have access, visit our plans page to upgrade your account.
How to View ANEF Aircraft Noise Planning Layer on Landchecker
Step 1: Navigate to an Airport or Nearby Property
ANEF contours apply to areas surrounding airports and aerodromes. Navigate to a location near an airport to view relevant ANEF data.
Follow these steps:
Log in to your Landchecker account at app.landchecker.com.au.
Navigate to an airport or nearby property using one of these methods:
Search by address: Enter a property address near an airport in the search bar at the top of the screen
Search by Lot/DP number: Enter the Lot and Deposited Plan number (for example, "Lot 5 DP 789012") for properties in New South Wales
Search by airport name: Type the airport name (for example, "Melbourne Airport" or "Brisbane Airport") to navigate directly to the airport location
Navigate manually: Zoom and pan the map to your desired location near an airport
Step 2: Open the Planning Layers Menu
The Planning Layers menu provides access to various planning controls and constraints, including ANEF Aircraft Noise data.
Follow these steps:
Locate the Planning Layers icon on the left-hand side panel of the screen.
Click the Planning Layers icon to open the planning layers menu.
The menu expands to display all available planning layers for your current location.
Scroll through the list to locate ANEF Aircraft Noise.
The Planning Layers menu contains numerous planning datasets, including zones, overlays, heritage layers, environmental constraints, and hazard overlays. You can activate multiple layers simultaneously to conduct comprehensive site assessments.
Step 3: Activate the ANEF Aircraft Noise Layer
Activating the ANEF Aircraft Noise layer displays noise exposure forecast contours on the map, showing areas affected by different levels of aircraft noise.
Follow these steps:
Within the Planning Layers menu, locate ANEF Aircraft Noise in the list of available layers.
Tick the checkbox beside ANEF Aircraft Noise to activate the layer.
The map updates to display ANEF contours as coloured overlays around airports and aerodromes.
Each contour is colour-coded according to ANEF unit levels (15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 ANEF).
Properties falling within ANEF contours are now visually identified on the map.
The ANEF Aircraft Noise layer remains active as you navigate across the map until you manually deactivate it by unticking the checkbox in the Planning Layers menu.
Step 4: Filter ANEF Contour Levels
The ANEF Aircraft Noise layer displays multiple contour levels representing different degrees of noise exposure. You can control which specific ANEF levels display on the map using the dropdown filter menu.
Follow these steps:
After activating the ANEF Aircraft Noise layer, locate the dropdown arrow next to the layer name in the Planning Layers menu.
Click the dropdown arrow to expand the list of ANEF contour level options.
The expanded menu displays checkboxes for each ANEF unit level:
ANEF 15
ANEF 20
ANEF 25
ANEF 30
ANEF 35
ANEF 40
Tick the checkboxes next to the ANEF levels you want to view on the map.
Untick checkboxes to hide specific ANEF levels from the map view.
The map updates in real-time to display only the selected ANEF contour levels.
Filtering ANEF levels allows you to focus on specific noise exposure zones relevant to your assessment. For example, suppose you are evaluating residential development suitability. In that case, you might choose to display only ANEF 25, 30, 35, and 40 contours, as these levels have the most significant impact on residential amenity and planning controls.
Combine ANEF Aircraft Noise with Other Planning Datasets
The ANEF Aircraft Noise layer provides valuable insights when combined with other planning datasets available in Landchecker. Layering multiple datasets enables comprehensive site analysis and helps you understand cumulative planning constraints and opportunities.
Planning Zones
Combine ANEF contours with planning zones to understand land-use controls and development potential:
Assess whether existing zoning permits residential development in noise-affected areas
Identify properties zoned for commercial or industrial use where noise exposure is less restrictive
Evaluate rezoning potential for properties within lower ANEF contours
Understand permitted uses under current zoning in higher ANEF contour areas
Activate planning zones from the Planning Layers menu by ticking the Planning Zones checkbox.
Low and Mid-Rise (LMR) Housing Layer (New South Wales)
In New South Wales, combine ANEF contours with the Low and Mid-Rise Housing planning layer to:
Assess whether properties within LMR Housing areas are also affected by aircraft noise
Identify potential conflicts between housing policy objectives and noise exposure constraints
Evaluate development feasibility for medium-density housing in areas with ANEF contours
Understand cumulative planning requirements affecting development potential
The LMR Housing layer is available through the Planning Layers menu for New South Wales properties.
Airport Environs Overlay (Victoria)
In Victoria, combine ANEF contours with the Airport Environs Overlay to:
Understand comprehensive airport planning controls including noise exposure, height restrictions, and wildlife management
Assess cumulative constraints on development proposals near airports
Identify areas subject to multiple airport-related planning controls
Ensure compliance with both noise exposure guidelines and other airport environs requirements
The Airport Environs Overlay is available through the Planning Layers menu for Victorian properties near designated airports.
High-Resolution Aerial Imagery
Combine ANEF contours with high-resolution aerial imagery to:
Assess current land use and development patterns within noise-affected areas
Identify existing residential, commercial, and industrial development in various ANEF zones
Evaluate site characteristics and suitability for noise-sensitive uses
Measure distances from properties to airport boundaries and runways
Activate high-resolution aerial imagery by clicking Map Type in the bottom left corner and selecting High-Res Aerial Imagery.
Heritage Overlays and Environmental Constraints
Layer ANEF contours with heritage overlays, vegetation protection overlays, and environmental constraints to:
Identify properties subject to multiple planning controls
Assess cumulative impacts on development feasibility
Understand comprehensive constraint mapping for complex sites
Evaluate sites with competing planning objectives (for example, heritage protection versus noise attenuation requirements)
Activate additional overlays from the Planning Layers menu by ticking the relevant checkboxes.
Planning Permits and Development Applications
Monitor development activity in noise-affected areas by activating the planning permits layer:
View approved development applications in various ANEF zones to understand local council interpretation of noise guidelines
Identify planning precedents for noise attenuation measures and acoustic design solutions
Assess development trends and market activity in airport-adjacent areas
Set up permit alerts to receive notifications about new development applications near airports
Activate the planning permits layer by clicking the clipboard icon in the left-hand menu and selecting Planning Permits.
By combining multiple datasets, you can conduct thorough due diligence and make informed decisions about property development, investment, and land-use planning in areas affected by aircraft noise.