AIRSPACE DEVELOPMENT AND CRANE APPLICATIONS

The protection of the immediate airspace around Townsville Airport is essential to ensure that we maintain a safe operating environment and to provide future growth for the Airport. The airspace around Townsville Airport is protected under the Commonwealth Airports Act 1996 and the Airports (Protection of Airspace) Regulations 1996. Click here to complete Townsville Airport's Obstacle Notification Form.

PROTECTED AIRSPACE

International standards have been adopted which define two sets of invisible surfaces above the ground around an airport. The airspace above these surfaces forms the airport’s protected airspace.These two surfaces are the:

• Obstacle Limitation Surface (OLS); and
• Procedures for Air Navigation Services – Aircraft Operations (PANS-OPS) surface.

OBSTACLE LIMITATION SURFACES (OLS)

• The Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS) are a series of surfaces in the airspace surrounding an airport. They are established in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) specifications which have been adopted by Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The OLS defines the airspace to be protected for aircraft operating during the initial and final stages of flight, or when manoeuvring in the vicinity of the airport.
• The OLS is generally the lowest surface and is designed to provide protection to aircraft when a pilot is flying visually. New developments may penetrate the OLS but only in particular locations and if strict requirements are met.

PROCEDURES FOR AIR NAVIGATION SERVICES – AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS SURFACES (PANS-OPS)

• All major airports have navigation aids to enable aircraft to navigate to the airport safely in poor weather conditions. The PANS-OPS are established to protect those stages of take-off, landing or manoeuvring when aircraft are operating in non-visual conditions and are flying using instruments.
• The ICAO standard for PANS-OPS surfaces requires surfaces with the applicable obstacle clearance be defined for each published procedure. The PANS-OPS surfaces cannot be infringed by permanent obstacles under any circumstances.
• The PANS-OPS surfaces for Townsville Airport are relatively complex because for the number of published instrument procedures in place.

CONTROLLED ACTIVITY

Any activity that infringes an airport’s protected airspace is called a controlled activity, and requires approval before it can be carried out.

Controlled activities include the following:

• Permanent structures, such as buildings, intruding into the protected airspace;
• Temporary structures such as cranes intruding into the protected airspace; and
• Any activities causing intrusions into the protected airspace through glare from artificial light or reflected sunlight, air turbulence from stacks or vents, smoke, dust, steam or other gases or particulate matter.

The Regulations differentiate between short-term (less than 3 months) and long-term controlled activities. A short term controlled activity may be approved by the airport operator. A long term controlled activity requires approval by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities & Regional Development. Any long term intrusions of the PANS-OPS surface are prohibited.

A person who carries out a controlled activity without approval commits an offence under Section 183 of the Airports Act 1996.

APPROVAL PROCESS

All applications to carry out a controlled activity are made to the airport in writing. The approval process varies depending on the type of controlled activity.

Short-term controlled activities can be:

• Approved or refused by the Airport after consultation with CASA and Airservices, or;
• Referred by the airport to the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities & Regional Development for a decision.

Long-term controlled activities:

• Long-term controlled activities penetrating the OLS are referred by the airport to the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities & Regional Development for a decision after consultation with CASA, Airservices and the relevant building authority.
• Long-term controlled activities penetrating the PANS-OPS airspace are not permitted.

BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENTS

Any development which may penetrate protected airspace should be sent to the airport for assessment by either the local council involved or relevant state government planning agency.

A developer must fill out one of the two forms listed below for any development which may penetrate prescribed airspace.

CRANES/Obstacles OPERATING IN PROTECTED AIRSPACE

Operations in the vicinity of the airport have the potential to create air safety hazards and to limit the operations of the Airport. For this reason, planned operations must be assessed and approved under the Airports (Protection of Airspace) Regulations 1996.

Crane/obstacle approvals fall into two criteria namely:

1. Short term (less than 3 months) generally mobile cranes, and;
2. Long term tower type cranes (greater than 3 months).

Temporary crane/obstacle approvals (less than 3 months)

Temporary obstacle intrusions must provide a completed Obstacle Notification form at least 72 (business) hours prior to the proposed activity.

This form must include: 

• Location including latitude and longitude
• Crane/obstacle operating height from ground
• Ground level at site (AHD)
• Operating times/dates
• Reasons for operation
• Lift plan (if required)
• Builder and crane operator contact details
• Ground level at site (AHD)

Permanent obstacle intrusion approvals (greater than 3 months)

Permanent Obstacle Intrusion Approvals must provide the following information as part of an application for approval of permanent obstacle intrusion. The application should be submitted at least 2 months prior to the proposed construction.

This form includes:

• Location including latitude and longitude
• Building height (AHD)
• Ground level at site (AHD)
• Site address
• Commencement times/dates
• Lift plan
• Builder and crane operator contact details

Click here for the Development Application form.

If you wish to make an application but need advice to assist with the final application, please contact the Operations & Standards Manager on 07 4727 3280 or email aviation@tsvairport.com.au.

ASSESSMENT OF APPLICATIONS

The Airport will conduct the initial assessment of the application in terms of:

• Whether the activity results in an intrusion into the OLS or PANS-OPS surface;
• The extent of the intrusion; and
• The precise location of the development or activity.

The Airport is required to invite the following organisations to assess or comment on an application:

• The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).
• Airservices Australia – for assessments of proposals resulting in a penetration of the PANS-OPS surface or temporary redirection of flight paths.
• Department of Defence.
• The local council authority responsible for building approvals.

FURTHER INFORMATION

If you wish to make an application but need advice to assist with the final application, please contact the Operations & Standards Manager on 07 4727 3280 or email aviation@tsvairport.com.au.