A_F_2015_01_02_

The Australian Airports
Association (AAA) has published a
study report into seven metropolitan
general aviation airports.
Titled Securing the Future of
Australia’s Metropolitan Airports, the
report analyses issues confronting
Archerfield, Bankstown, Camden,
Essendon, Jandakot, Moorabbin
and Parafield airports.
Each one is a former
Commonwealth airport now leased
long-term to a private company.
The aim of the study was to
gather data about the airports
in the hope that their value
will be better recognised by the
community, and that regulators
will have a better appreciation of
of the impact of regulation.
“Australia’s Metro Airports are
the secondary airports located
in Australia’s capital cities,” the
report intro states. “They are not
only significant centres of aviation
activity in their own right, but are
also a key to ensuring the future
efficient operation of the primary
airports in their cities.
“At the same time, the Metro
Airports confront an uneasy future
and require sensitive and tailored
consideration by Commonwealth,

State and Local Governments

if they are to achieve their great

potential contribution to the

future of Australian aviation and

the Australian economy and

community more generally.”

Among the challenges facing the

metro airports, the AAA report

identifies a range of regulatory issues

that the AAA believes need to be

addressed, including:

• These smaller airports have to
  comply with the same rigorous
  planning laws as the major
  capital city airports


• Such compliance is inordinately
  expensive and inappropriate


• A 20-year master plan every
  five years is too frequent


• Master plans can’t be
  straightforward updates, they
  have to be completely new


• Major Development Plans
  (MDPs) are required on too
  many, often relatively simple
  projects


• MDPs have to be consistent
  with master plans which is not
  always appropriate


• Public comment periods on
  these plans are too long


• It takes too long to get approval
  (or rejection) of plans
  
  
  • The current regime of community
    consultation and forums is quite
    possibly inefficient and costly
  
  
  • Limitations on on-airport
    activities are unrealistic and
    unnecessary
  
  
  • Decision making processes
    affecting these airports is far
    from transparent
  
  
  • Current legislation inhibits
    the potential for competition
    between airports and off-airport
    developers
    In concluding, the report found:
    “It is critical that the Government
    recognise the essential role that
    Metro Airports play in supporting
    the aviation sector and the
    economic development of their local
    communities.
    “Industry and Government must
    work together to remove these
    unnecessary regulatory barriers and
    ensure that our Metro Airports can
    thrive and continue contributing
    to Australia’s social and economic
    prosperity.”
    Many of the airports included in
    the study have been subject to GA
    complaints relating to inappropriate
    development and rising rental and
    usage charges almost since the day
    they were privatised.
  
  
  
  

15

Airports Association

Publishes Metro Study

The study showed that metro airports such as

Melbourne’s Moorabbin have challenges of their own.

MATT HALL’S

SEASON

PG 16

CESSNA

DIESEL

PG 18

TAAAF

SPEAKS OUT

PG 18

australianflying.com.au

January - February 2015 AUSTRALIAN FLYING

BREAKING NEWS

FEATURED ON WWW.

AUSTRALIANFLYING.

COM.AU R ECE N TLY.

E-NEWSLETTER SIGN-UP AT

WWW.AUSTRALIANFLYING.COM.AU

SIGN UP TO KEEP UP!

The Australian Flying website is

updated daily with the latest GA

news stories. Visit us online now

at http://www.australianflying.com.au to

also check out our free classifieds

section, photo and video galleries,

blogs, flying tips articles and

comprehensive Warbird coverage.

And be sure to register for our FREE

weekly electronic newsletter, which

delivers the latest news FREE to your

inbox every Friday morning. This

is the perfect way to stay up to date

with the latest news in between print

issue of Australian Flying.

1. Red Bull announces 2015 Air
   Race Schedule


2. Regional Airports recognised in
   2014 AAA Awards


3. Flying Doctor takes on Heavy Weights


4. Australia prepares for WOAW 2015


5. CASA moves to restrict Jabiru
   Engine Operations


6. Mooney unveils New Aircraft Range


7. Bell 505 SLS makes its Maiden Flight


8. RAeS urges Name Change for
   Second Sydney Airport


9. British Aerobatic Ace to return
   to Avalon


10. AVMED Boss to leave CASA
    nex t Ye a r

In November, a study into the issues surrounding Australia’s

metropolitan GA airports was released on the Gold Coast.