COMMUNITY INFORMATION BOOKLET TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 Our vision 5

2 For those planning to move into the area 6

3 What do we do at Essendon ? 7

4 Aircraft movements 8

5 Fly Neighbourly program 8

6 WebTrak 12

7 Airport operations 13

Tower hours 13

Curfew restriction 13

Weight restrictions 13

8 Noise complaints and enquiries 14

9 Ground based noise 15

10 Historical aviation activity 16 Table 7.1 Historic aviation activity at (calendar years) 16 Table 7.2 Essendon Airport in 2012 proportion of aircraft movements 16

11 Australian Noise Exposure Forecast 2033 (ANEF 2033) 17

12 Community Aviation Consultative Group 18

13 Airport development proposals 19

14 Frequently asked questions 19

15 Who can I contact? 20

3 Essendon Airport remains a vital aviation resource for and regional . It continues to provide excellent facilities to the aviation industry, with 1 | OUR VISION a special emphasis on Police and Emergency Services, flight support and the corporate aviation market. In addition, it offers the opportunity to create an Essendon Airport Pty Ltd’s vision for the airport is: integrated business environment, unlike anything else in Melbourne.

Essendon Airport is a strategically important parcel of land, providing a unique “To establish a commercially viable, safe and functional general opportunity to reinforce its activity centre function by realising non-aviation aviation facility which meets projected aviation requirements development potential. whilst utilising the property’s strategic land holdings for high The site has potential for the creation of thousands of new employment quality commercial development”. opportunities, through the enhancement and expansion of the range of services and facilities presently located in the northwest of Melbourne. EAPL has established the following development objectives to achieve the vision:

Further information on these opportunities can be found in the Essendon Airport • To improve and maintain safe, • To improve the integration of the Master Plan which is available on the Essendon Airport Website secure and efficient airport airport with its surrounds; and operations; (www.essendonairport.com.au). • To consolidate airport operations • To add value to the airport by and aviation requirements to realising development opportunities; ensure efficient and sustainable land use. • To increase market awareness of development opportunities at the Chris Cowan airport;

4 5 2 | FOR THOSE PLANNING TO MOVE INTO THE AREA

With residential and commercial communities located immediately adjacent to our airport boundary, the protection of Airspace is a major focus. EAPL is working with the Federal, State and Local Governments to support improvements in planning outcomes that will improve the safety and viability of operations in the Melbourne region. 3 | WHAT DO WE DO AT ESSENDON EAPL has recently worked with the • Consider using Airservices ’s Moonee Valley City Council to finalise online WebTrak tool which will allow AIRPORT? a planning scheme amendment you to investigate actual flight relating to building height restrictions movements over the location that in areas under the approach you may be considering (see page Essendon Airport provides facilities and services for International and departure paths. 12 for further details); and Domestic corporate aircraft, aircraft maintenance, airfreight, An Airport Environs Overlay has not • Review the current Noise Exposure aircraft charter, regional activation services and emergency air been prepared for Essendon Airport. Forecast plan (on page 17). This shows the forecast noise levels service providers. Combined, these operators undertake more For those considering a move into the for residential zones close to the than 50,000 annual aircraft movements. area we recommend the following: airport and can be obtained on our website; The maps shown on page 10 and 11 The flight paths servicing Melbourne • Refer to Chapter 8 of the EAPL show the primary flight paths Airport are not shown on these maps Master Plan (Aircraft Noise and • You should also refer your building provided by Airservices for arriving as these are outside the Essendon Airspace Management) advisors to the Airspace Charts of and departing aircraft and helicopters Airport prescribed airspace and (http://www.essendonairport.com. page 79 – 87 of the MP. at Essendon Airport. It is important generally involve the operation of au/planning/masterplan); If you have further questions after to note that aircraft may diverge from aircraft at a higher altitude. These • Speak to people already living in following the above process you can these flight paths on some occasions. aircraft may also contribute to noise the area; get further advice from Essendon levels experienced by the community • Spend time in the location to gain Airport via the enquiry link on our from time to time. an understanding of aircraft activity website (see page 20 for details). and noise level. Try to cover both day and night periods;

6 7 4 | AIRCRAFT MOVEMENTS

The Master Plan contains the following In broad terms, it is envisaged that forecasts for the period 2013 to 2033: aircraft movement declines in some airframe types (namely single • Single Propeller Aircraft propeller and twin propeller) will Movements are likely to continue largely be offset by increases in to decline by 2% to 3% per annum; others (namely turboprop, jet and • Twin Propeller Aircraft Movements rotary wing aircraft). are likely to continue to decline by 2% per annum; It is therefore considered that whilst there has been a decline in flight • Twin Turboprop Movements are activity during this decade, this will likely to increase by 1% per annum; now be stabilised and will remain • Jet Movements are likely to increase consistent in the future. by 2% to 3% per annum; and More particularly, we therefore • Rotary Wing Movements anticipate that total average (helicopters) are likely to increase movements over the next 20 years by 2% per annum. will be within the range of 53,000 to 57,000 movements per annum.

5 | FLY NEIGHBOURLY PROGRAM

Aircraft noise will always arise as part of an airport’s operation, and while modern aircraft are becoming quieter, considerable ongoing attention is required to manage the noise associated with an airport.

Initiatives undertaken by EAPL in While aircraft flight paths and conjunction with the Community responses to noise created by Aviation Consultative Group (CACG) aviation movements are primarily the include the implementation of the responsibility of , first Fly Neighbourly Agreement EAPL takes a proactive approach to in Australia. noise impacts on the community. Currently 22 operators have signed the Fly Neighbourly Agreement.

8 9 Standard flight tracks for fixed wing arrivals Standard flight tracks for helicopter arrivals

Standard flight tracks for fixed wing departures Standard flight tracks for helicopter departures

10 11 7 | AIRPORT OPERATIONS

Tower hours • A dispensation is granted by the Secretary under regulation 15 that The Essendon Airport Control Tower authorises the take-off or landing, is active Monday to Friday from and the take-off or landing is in 6.00am to 10pm, Saturday and Sunday accordance with the dispensation. 7am to 10pm. Outside of these hours Airservices includes data on curfew control service is managed by movements in its quarterly aircraft Airservices at . noise information reports. A recent report shows the following: Curfew restriction 6 | • On average, there are around WEBTRAK The Air Navigation (Essendon six movements per night during Airport) Regulations 2001 (Cth) curfew hours; prescribe a curfew period which • The records show the operations Airservices provides a tool called WebTrak on its website applies to aircraft from 11pm until are spread across both runways. which allows you to access flight activity of most aircraft over 6am the following day. Movements metropolitan areas. Using a map to display surrounding that are permitted during curfew Weight restrictions periods include: suburbs within 55km of a selected airport, WebTrak allows The Air Navigation (Essendon • Propeller driven aircraft and you to view information about arriving and departing aircraft, Airport) Regulations 2001 (Cth) does helicopters subject to specified not permit aircraft over a maximum ranging from 40 minutes to three months ago. Limited maximum take-off weights and take-off weight of 45,000kgs to or maximum noise levels; emergency operations are not always shown on WebTrak. operate at Essendon Airport at • Where the aircraft is involved in any time. You can also: How does it work? an emergency; or Domestic passenger jets are well in • Locate your street address to have WebTrak uses information from air • Where the aircraft is involved in excess of 45,000kgs. your home appear on the map; traffic control secondary surveillance a Police Air Wing operation; or radars to monitor aircraft: • See noise levels of individual An example of one of the largest aircraft; • Within 55km of the airport; aircraft able to operate from Essendon • View information about the aircraft • Up to a height of 30,000ft above Airport is shown below. including aircraft type, height, mean sea level (AMSL). origin and destination; Aircraft noise data is downloaded • Display an aircraft’s flight path daily from noise monitors and point of closest approach strategically located around the to your home; communities close to the airport. • Zoom in and out down to street level. Airservices operates a noise monitor in Essendon. Data from this monitor can be downloaded daily from WebTrak. Source Air Services http://webtrak.bksv.com/mel

Fokker 70 carrying up to 70 passengers to the mines

12 13 8 | NOISE COMPLAINTS AND ENQUIRIES 9 | GROUND BASED NOISE

All aircraft noise complaints in the first instance should be The (Environmental Protection) Regulations 1997 lodged with Airservices Australia. To lodge a complaint or do not apply to noise generated by aircraft in flight, when make an enquiry about aircraft operations, you can use the landing, taking off or taxiing at the airport. However, noise following options: emissions emitted from ground-based activities are subject to the Regulations. Enquiry Go to WebTrak (www.airservicesaustralia.com/aircraftnoise/webtrak/) Ground based noise sources include In response to noise complaints, to see the flight path details of the aircraft of concern. engine maintenance tests and generally regarding engine pre-flight system checks of aircraft, maintenance, Essendon Airport Complaint maintenance activities, vehicle traffic amended its Aircraft Engine Use the Airservices online form: and construction activities. Maintenance Ground Running (https://complaints.bksv.com/asa) procedure in 2012. The revised Engine maintenance tests are procedure incorporates a new site Complaint by email restricted at Essendon Airport to for the mobile testing vehicle, which [email protected] the following hours: is closer to noise barriers and further • 7.00 am – 6.00 pm, away from residential areas Complaint by telephone Monday to Friday surrounding the airport. 1800 802 584 (free call) • 10.00 am – 6.00 pm, Saturday and Sunday If you are not satisfied with the service received you can lodge your complaint with the Aircraft Noise Ombudsman online: www.ano.gov.au or write to: Most complaints about aircraft ground based noise are about Mail pre-flight system checks (run-ups) Aircraft Noise Ombudsman which are a mandatory safety GPO Box 1985 requirement prior to flight for non-jet Canberra, ACT 2601 engine aircraft types. Few run-ups exceed five minutes in duration, but run-ups do occur when the ambient background noise is at lower levels.

14 15 11 | AUSTRALIAN NOISE EXPOSURE FORECAST 2033 (ANEF 2033)

The ANEF is based on International It is important to note that aircraft standards and has been endorsed noise around Essendon Airport will by Airservices Australia. not necessarily be restricted to the perimeter shown on this chart It shows the noise levels experienced (20 ANEF contour) and may vary in the areas surrounding Essendon due to factors such as weather and Airport and represents the noise variations in aircraft flight tracks exposure for an average day, based from time to time. 10 | HISTORICAL AVIATION ACTIVITY on the forecast movements for 2033.

Table 7.1 Table 7.2 Historic aviation activity Essendon Airport in 2012 at Essendon Airport proportion of aircraft (calendar years) movements

Annual Aircraft Single Propeller 23.2% Year Movement Twin Propeller 21.1% 2002 68,418 Twin Turboprop 18.0% 2003 64,240 Jets 5.4% 2004 59,826 Rotary Wing 32.3% 2005 58,708 2006 59,244 2007 53,802 2008 54,739 2009 58,659 2010 54,994 2011 54,162 2012 53,779 2013 52,724 Noise contours 20, 25 and 30 represent Building Site Acceptability Standards in accordance with Australian Standards AS 2021-2000. Source: Air Services Australia annual report and EAPL data As the numbers increase from 20 – 30 the noise levels increase correspondingly.

16 17 12 | COMMUNITY AVIATION 13 | AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT CONSULTATIVE GROUP PROPOSALS

Refer Chapter 9 of the Essendon Airport Master Plan In January 2010 EAPL established a Community Aviation (www.essendonairport.com.au). Consultative Group (CACG). The CACG replaced the Essendon Airport Noise Management Working Group.

The CACG is the primary community Initiatives undertaken by EAPL in 14 | FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS consultative forum for noise issues. conjunction with the CACG include:

Attendees at the CACG meetings • Implementation of the first How long is the airport lease? Who is responsible for aircraft include: Fly Neighbourly Agreement in 50 Years commencing 1 July 1998 routes and flight paths? Australia; with an option for a further term Airservices Australia. • Local Federal Member of of 49 years (99 years ending Parliament; • Local fly neighbourly procedures 30 June 2098). Why don’t all flights fly neighbourly? to encourage helicopter operations • Local State Member of Parliament; Fly neighbourly agreements are at the northern end of runway Who approves the Master Plan? voluntary. Operators are not always • MVCC Councillor; 17/35 to use the green belt area; The Master Plan is approved by the able to comply with FNA due to the • 2 community representatives • An EAPL staff member spending Federal Minister for Infrastructure nature of their operations. nominated by 2 local federal the night at the home of a local and Regional Development. members of Parliament; resident to gain a better Why don’t aircraft follow the flight • Representatives from Airservices understanding of the noise issues Who controls aircraft movements? paths? Australia and Department of that were impacting on this Aircraft movements in and out of Variations to flight paths may be Regional Infrastructure and particular person; Essendon Airport are controlled influenced by weather conditions Development are invited guests at • Arrangements were made for by Airservices Australia. and directions by . each meeting. The Aircraft Noise another resident to meet the CEO Ombudsmen has also attended and Chief Pilot of a local airfreight Who is responsible for ground meetings of the CACG. company to discuss their concerns running noise? and gain a better understanding of Essendon Airport’s Operations team this particular business; is responsible for managing ground running noise. • A new engine test site which uses the existing formation of the Who is responsible for aircraft noise adjacent freeway overpass to in flight? absorb noise was trialled and is Airservices Australia are responsible now a confirmed location for (see page 14). engine test runs.

This booklet has been developed following recommendations from the CACG.

18 19 15 | WHO CAN I CONTACT?

Action Company Contact Details

Aircraft Noise Complaints Airservices 1800 802 584 (freecall)

To access flight activity of Airservices - WebTrak http://webtrak.bksv.com/mel aircraft over metropolitan areas

Civil Aviation Safety 133 757 Aviation Safety Matters Authority (CASA) www.casa.gov.au

Independent administrative Aircraft Noise reviews of Airservices aircraft www.ano.gov.au Ombudsman noise-related activities

Airport Building Activities A register of approved 03 9948 9300 activities at Essendon Airport Essendon Airport [email protected] can be found on the Essendon www.essendonairport.com.au Airport website

Refer Essendon Airport Information on the noise and Master Plan generally in airspace impacts on the Essendon Airport particular to Chapter 4–8 community www.essendonairport.com.au

Refer to Chapter 9 of the Airport Development Proposals Essendon Airport Essendon Airport Master Plan www.essendonairport.com.au

Who can I contact if I want to speak to a community representative of the Essendon Airport [email protected] Community Aviation Consultative Group (CACG)

Emails to Essendon Airport enquiries - we will endeavour to contact you directly during the next business day.

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Photo: Wayne Riggs Photo: Gordon Reid

Telephone 03 9948 9300 essendonairport.com.au