MEMBER for Mildura Ali Cupper has vowed to continue fighting for the wellbeing of her constituents over the Mildura International Flight Training Academy.

The issue of small aircraft flying over residents’ homes at all hours of the day and night has led to a significant number of complaints to Ms Cupper’s office and the establishment of an active Facebook group with more than 200 members.

Training academy flights start at 6.30am and run until 10.30pm.

Ms Cupper said she would continue to monitor the situation closely and lobby for the needs of her constituents.

She said it was important to note the training academy was not running at full capacity and work needed to be done to ensure any adverse impacts were addressed properly before more flights took to the air.

“This is an issue that must be open for public debate,” she said.

“The economic benefits of the training academy have long been heralded, and that’s fine. But the overall impact it’s having must also be considered.”

Ms Cupper said some residents had reported a drop in the number of flights over their houses while others had indicated the problem was worsening.

“I acknowledge there have already been mitigation efforts that have worked to varying degrees,” she said.

“But the quality and value of their lives and homes can not be compromised.

“I’ve had people tell me things settled down for a week or two, but then seem to have ramped up again,” she said.

“I’ve said all along we can’t just have a situation where you move the problem away from one set of cohorts and onto another.”