ANEC Airport Noise Contours: Granny Flat Planning Checks
ANEC airport noise contours are planning forecasts, not a reading of noise at your home today. For a proposed granny flat near Western Sydney International Airport, use the current planning map and the property’s exact location.
The NSW Government announcement of 19 May 2026 describes secondary dwellings up to 85 square metres on eligible ANEC 20–25 land, with aircraft noise attenuation. It names parts of Wollondilly, Camden, Fairfield, Liverpool and Penrith. This is targeted permission, not an approval for every property in those council areas.
What does the map represent?
The government describes ANEC as a long-term tool that considers operational scenarios, including a potential second parallel runway. That makes it different from standing in the garden with a sound meter or checking a single flight path.
A comparatively lower contour isn’t a promise of silence. If noise affects your decision to live on the property, discuss the conditions you want inside the home with an acoustic practitioner as well as checking planning eligibility.
Read the layer, date and property together
Save the source, date and legend of any map you use. A coloured screenshot without those details can be difficult to interpret, particularly where the property sits close to a line. Ask the planner which current mapping has legal relevance to the application.
Don’t combine a boundary from one map with a contour from another and assume the result is precise. A survey and an official property enquiry serve different purposes; the practitioner should explain what evidence is needed for the decision.
Turn acoustic requirements into a design brief
Ask how the proposed walls, roof, openings and ventilation will work together. Double glazing is an example in the announcement, not proof that a particular window upgrade satisfies every requirement for your design.
If windows need to stay closed for the intended indoor conditions, discuss fresh air and summer comfort at the same time. Record the resulting specification so a later product substitution can be checked before it is ordered.
Questions to resolve before proceeding
Does the announcement approve my design?
No. Obtain advice on the current rules and the proposed building for your property. The announcement explains the policy change; it isn’t a site approval or a construction specification.
Where should I start?
Read our NSW approval overview, then take your address, title details and project brief to the relevant practitioner. Ask for the source and date of the rules used in their assessment.
By The Granny Flat Guide Team. Last updated October 2026. About our research · Project budget calculator
Primary sources
These cards are an editorial summary of official pages. The Granny Flat Guide is not a certifier, council or licensed builder. Check the live official URL before you lodge or sign.
- Your Home (Australian Government)Your Home: Australia's guide to environmentally sustainable homes
- Australian Building Codes BoardNational Construction Code
- Victorian Building AuthorityBuilding Act 1993 / small second dwelling settings
- QBCC (Queensland)Queensland Building and Construction Commission licensing
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