Airspace Protection

A review of the Prescribed Airspace for Brisbane Airport is continuing.  A draft for public comment will be available in the last quarter of 2021. Comments will be considered and the Prescribed Airspace will be submitted to the Commonwealth Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications for approval under Part 12 of the Airports Act 1996 and the Airports (Protection of Airspace) Regulations 1996. 

Any development proposals are still to be assessed through the normal assessment process including a review by Airservices Australia against existing operational procedures.

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It is important Brisbane Airport's airspace is protected - now and in the future - to provide a safe, efficient and predictable environment for aircraft to arrive and depart in all conditions.

The Airports (Protection of Airspace) Regulations set the framework for the definition and declaration of airspace requiring protection. These regulations also outline the processes required for the assessment of proposals involving intrusion into airspace – deemed “Controlled Activities”.

The Regulations are administered by the Commonwealth Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications and ensure:

• The airspace which aircraft operate in when under Instrument Meteorological Conditions is obstacle-free with minimum obstacle clearances maintained consistent with relevant international and national aviation standards
• The airspace which aircraft operate in when under Visual Meteorological Conditions is generally obstacle-free, and only in certain circumstances are objects permitted to intrude into that component of an airport’s prescribed airspace following a detailed hazard determination, potentially resulting in hazard identification through markings and lighting to the object or structure
• Assessments are applied to facilities that results in the emissions of smoke, dust or other particulate matter 
• Radar, aviation navigation systems and critical airfield lighting systems have adequate protection zones and are able to operate without interference
• A robust assessment regime is established for proposed structures and developments (Controlled Activities) that may impact an Airport’s airspace 
• Penalty provisions exist for activities not conducted in accordance with the requirements of the APARs.

 

Prescribed airspace

The Airspace for Brisbane Airport was first declared in 2009, revised in 2013 and most recently a minor update finalised by the Commonwealth Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications on 14 July 2017. The prescribed airspace for Brisbane Airport includes the following surfaces:

Obstacle Limitation Service (OLS)

 

Procedures for Air Navigational Services—Aircraft Operations (PANS-OPS) 

 

Surfaces associated with Radar systems, aviation navigational aids and airfield major lighting installations

Please be aware that areas of Brisbane and South East Queensland may be impacted by additional airspace surfaces associated with other airports in the region.
 

Tall Buildings Policy

In August 2018, Brisbane Airport developed a Tall Buildings Policy, an advisory document that: 

• Outlines legislative requirements, policies and processes used to define, manage and protect the prescribed airspace necessary for the safety, efficiency and regularity of air transport operations into and out of Brisbane Airport. 

• Outlines Brisbane Airport’s role in responding to applications for short and long-term intrusions into prescribed airspace; and 

• Articulates Brisbane Airport’s approach to ensuring the prescribed airspace is consistent with the regulatory framework and aviation standards. The Policy was created to manage challenges arising from the use of construction cranes in the Brisbane CBD. The intention of the Policy is to assist developers and planning authorities alike in understanding necessary airspace protection requirements and the potential implications of comprising airspace. 

APPLICATIONS FOR APPROVAL 

The Tall Buildings Policy nominates Brisbane Airport as the first point of contact for a person wishing to apply for approval to conduct a controlled activity. As required under regulation 7(2) of the Airports Airspace Regulations, any application must provide: 

• Details of the type of proposed activity. 

• The precise location of that activity. 

• The proposed maximum height of the controlled activity. 

• The equipment to be used in its construction/erection), expressed in metres above the Australian Height Datum (AHD); and • The purpose of the proposed activity. 

NOTIFICATION OF DECISIONS 

Upon receipt of an application, Brisbane Airport’s approach to assessing proposals will include seeking feedback from CASA, Brisbane City Council, Airservices Australia and all relevant airlines or aircraft operators. The application and all stakeholder submissions are then sent to the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications for assessment. The Department considers Brisbane Airport’s opinion on any controlled activities that may impact operations.

Crane approvals

Crane operators must provide a completed Crane Assessment Form prior to the proposed crane activity. The application will be assessed by the airport that will approve or refuse the application.