Management Framework

Activities and infrastructure that potentially generate emissions at Brisbane Airport include:

• Aircraft power units (APUs) and ground power units (GPUs)
• Ground-based aircraft movement, refuelling and defueling
• Fuel storage tanks
• Plant, equipment and vehicles
• Aircraft painting and cleaning
• Fire training exercises
• Mechanical and maintenance workshops
• Industrial and commercial processes
• Refrigerants
• Electricity generating equipment
• Dusts generated from construction activities

Brisbane Airport Corporation's (BAC) operations trigger reporting under the National Pollutant Inventory for fuel and energy use. This is based on BAC’s fleet vehicle usage, electrical power generation and electricity consumption.

The electrification of ground-based aircraft operations (for example, use of aircraft ground power units and electric ground support equipment) and electric vehicles contribute to the reduction of emissions generated from Brisbane Airport.

Ground-based Noise

Typical activities on airport which contribute to noise include Ground-based noise and aircraft noise include:

• Land transport sources such as rail and road traffic

• Construction and demolition activities
• Operation of plant and machinery and,

Ground-based aircraft operations which can include:

• Operation of an auxiliary power unit of an aircraft
• Ground-based aircraft running
• Test-bed running of aircraft engines removed from airport (ground-running)

All new developments on Brisbane Airport are assessed to determine whether noise sensitive design and attenuation measures are required, and noise generated from aircraft ground running is managed in accordance with the Brisbane Airport Aerodrome Manual.

Aircraft Noise

For information on Aircraft noise, refer to Engaging our Community.
 

Brisbane Airport is located in the lower Brisbane River and Kedron Brook catchments. Both catchments flow into Moreton Bay – a wetland of international importance. Various activities at Brisbane Airport have the potential to influence water quality of surrounding waterways, including:

• Spills from aircraft and maintenance activities
• Urban wastewater discharge
• Construction activities
• Landscape maintenance activities
• Bulk liquids and hazardous materials storage
• Fire training exercises
• Hangar firefighting foam discharges

From 1999-2014, BAC undertook targeted water quality monitoring program across the airport site to assess ambient surface water quality. Results showed little variation over time and results were consistent with the water quality in the lower Brisbane River and Kedron Brook catchments. This program ceased in 2014 with the introduction of two automatic stormwater sampling devices located within the Domestic and International Terminal apron catchments and focussing on minimising sedimentation in waterways from construction projects during high rainfall events.