Aerodrom Ljubljana dd : A sustainable path to noise reduction

Aerodrom Ljubljana presented the Šenčur vegetation noise barrier to the public yesterday. The site of the noise barrier was visited by Minister of Infrastructure Dr Peter Gašperšič and Mayor of the Municipality of Šenčur Ciril Kozjek, who inspected the completed project, which is one of the steps that Aerodrom Ljubljana is taking in its efforts to further reduce noise pollution in the vicinity of the airport.

Aerodrom Ljubljana is aware that lowering noise emissions significantly increases the quality of life of the population living in the area. In cooperation with the local community and the ministry in charge they have therefore planted a natural vegetation noise barrier. Around EUR 30,000 was invested in the project. It is located between the northern part of the Jože Pučnik Ljubljana Airport and Šenčur, which is the closest town lying in the immediate vicinity of the airport. The barrier covers 7.52 hectares, on which approximately 13,000 tree and bush seedlings were planted, which will protect Šenčur from excess noise.

Zmago Skobir, managing director of Aerodrom Ljubljana, said: 'At Aerodrom Ljubljana we are committed to sustainable development. Part of our strategy in this area is the planning and execution of company activities in a manner that supports the development of the immediate and wider environment and which does not leave negative consequences in them, one of which is noise. The vegetation noise barrier is a part of our systematic approach to this issue: we also conduct measurements in accordance with international and national regulations at the points which are most exposed to noise, and provide the local population with as much information as possible about the noise measurements - including an interactive application on the company's website. We are also thankful to the ministry and the municipality, as their cooperation provides us with the conditions for the sustainable development of the airport and air traffic in Slovenia.'

Minister of Infrastructure Dr Peter Gašperšič stated: 'I am satisfied, because today we have kept our promise with regard to planting the vegetation noise barrier. Through this project we are also implementing our social responsibility to the local environment, as lowering noise emissions significantly increases the quality of life of the population living in the area. In addition to the noise protection, or reduction of noise emissions into the environment, the vegetation barrier will also serve as a dust barrier and an odour barrier, which will also contribute to a better quality of life in the nearby towns.'

Mayor of the Municipality of Šenčur Ciril Kozjek added: 'We at the municipality were happy to join the project, since improving the quality of life of the inhabitants of Šenčur is a priority, and the barrier is also important from the ecological perspective. We will gain forest area which has not been present here, between the airport and the town, since the 1970s.'

The sustainability of the project is also aided by the fact that all of the seedlings used were propagated in Slovenia, and the selection of species is adapted to local plant families. At the same time, the barrier is designed so that it can also serve as a recreational area for the town of Šenčur. Also, at the same time as the planting, an old dumping site was cleaned up. The ceremony marking the delivery of the noise barrier to its purpose was officiated by Minister Dr Peter Gašperšič, Mayor Ciril Kozjek and the managing director of Aerodrom Ljubljana, Zmago Skobir, with the help of pupils from the Šenčur Primary School, who symbolically completed the project by planting the final trees. All employees of Aerodrom Ljubljana play an active role in the implementation of the company's sustainability programme, for instance through cleanup campaigns in the immediate vicinity of the airport.

Brnik, 5 April 2017