Babies cry foul over Sydney airport noise

Babies are howling about the constant noise pollution and their screams are set to worsen with up to 70 per cent more flights overhead following the planned closure of the airport's east-west runway to allow for an $85 million safety upgrade.

Marrickville father Jim Toulikakous is outraged that his 11-month-old boy Alex is constantly missing out on sleep from the noise.

"It's okay when he's awake, he waves at the planes in the backyard, but when it comes to sleeping, it's so difficult," said Mr Toulikakous, who has attempted to sound-proof his double-brick home for his family.

"But our windows rattle, we still get that all the time and any child would get cranky."

Following a recent baby boom, many young families say their lives will be ruined when the runway closes later this year for up to two years.

"Two years is a long period of time for a young family, especially as there's a lot of prams everywhere in the local streets," Mr Toulikakous said.

Federal Transport Minister Anthony Albanese - whose electorate covers the heart of the affected areas - has warned the safety upgrade will go ahead despite deafening community concern over the runway closure and a public consultation now under way.

He did not want to comment about the baby outcry and a spokesman said he had "nothing more to add".

Mr Toulikakous accused Mr Albanese of being out of touch with local residents, who face up to 17 hours of aircraft noise a day when the runway is closed for the safety upgrade.

"Im guessing, we're going to get it (noise) all day long - it's going to be severe for the little ones," Mr Toulikakous said.

When asked if he would consider moving his family to another, quieter suburb, Mr Toulikakous said: "I've lived here all my life, this is my home. There needs to be a balance with quiet periods for this."

To minimise the noise pollution, No Aircraft Noise has called for the upgrade to be done during the 11pm to 6am flight curfew.

Mr Albanese has canned the idea saying, "it's a recipe for a permanent end to the noise-sharing arrangement".

The airport's draft development plan is on public display until June 18 and will then be submitted to Mr Albanese's office for consideration.

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23533018-5006009,00.html