SUMMER 2020 / 21 Good-bye^ 2020 Seems like yesterday that the P.M. delivered his memorable 22 March 2020 address, announcing restrictions that closed public venues, cafes and restaurants and advised against non-essential travel. Globally, the aviation industry spiralled into freefall; grounded at best, insolvent at worst, with our own Airport terminal forced to close on 16 April without any RPT flights. On 15 May, Qantas resumed a twice-weekly service to Sydney, via Coffs Harbour, and we have been steadily improving since. We are grateful to see signs of life returning to the Airport and now offer 23 Image: COVID-19 emptied the Airport car park in 2020 services per week to Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra and Lord Howe Island, catering for over 1000 passengers a week. We are particularly pleased to welcome back our business partners and their staff and are thinking of those yet to return. It has been a tough year, yet despite all the challenges the year has delivered some great news. Aircraft operators would be delighted to know that the Airport received $3.5 million to support the development of a Stage 1 Code A parallel taxiway (see the article below on the Parallel Taxiway for further information). The Airport was also awarded $140,000 to improve our energy efficiency and install rooftop solar panels on the terminal in 2021 under the State Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Grant. For service to medicine and aviation, Dr David Cooke was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in this year's Queen's Birthday honours list. Congratulations David on this award and recognition. In July 2020, the Port Macquarie Airport In this issue… Terminal Building Upgrade Project was - Fly Neighbourly Agreement pg 3 awarded winner of - Parallel Taxiway Project pg 4 Image: Dr David Cooke the Asset Management and - Security Screening Changes pg 5 Infrastructure Initiatives Award for projects over $1.5 million, at the - Port Macquarie Helicopters pg 6 2020 NSW Local Government Excellence Awards. The Awards celebrate outstanding achievement and promote innovation and - Aerodrome Works Explained pg 7 continuous improvement within NSW local government. The awards attracted a high calibre of submissions from across the State, and it is a - Skydive Port Macquarie pg 9 fantastic achievement for the Terminal project to be formally - New Artwork pg10 recognised. PORT MACQUARIE AIRPORT NEWSLETTER WINTER 2020 I PAGE 1 OF 2 In August 2020, the planning proposal establishing the Airport’s 23.75Ha Business and Technology Precinct, environmental protections areas and special purpose (Airport) lands, received approval under the NSW State Government’s Planning System Acceleration Program. The approval is a significant step forward for the Airport Business and Technology Precinct project, which is strategically important for the region to attract future, large- scale employment opportunities to the region. Planning also continues on the upgrade of Boundary Street, with detailed design underway. The design will include four lanes, cycleway and footpath and bus bay and further detail is expected to be available to the public in 2021. Please note that the construction phase of the project is yet to be funded. Image: Overview of the Boundary Street upgrade area. We have also been able to welcome Fly Pelican to Port Macquarie, operating the first-ever, direct service to Canberra. The service has been hugely successful in its first month, operating at 85% loads with strong community interest and support. Fly Pelican has committed to the service until the end of February 2021 at this stage, and is considering expanding into other routes out of Port Macquarie in the near future. It has also been great to see the Aus Flight Handling crew back on deck; their commitment to service is evident, providing one staff member for every two passengers on the maiden voyage! Eastern Air Services also continue their expansion, successfully obtaining an Air Operators Certificate to operate RPT services in 2020 and commencing their Lord Howe service out of Newcastle. Congratulations to EAS. Finally, we were all saddened to hear of the passing of Nico Brink this month in a tragic helicopter accident near Goulburn. His infectious enthusiasm and friendliness will be missed. We are thinking of his dearest friends and family at this time. A sincere thank you to all Airport operators for their patience and perseverance in 2020. Merry Christmas and best wishes for a healthy and prosperous New Year in 2021. Peter Allen, Airport Business Manager ([email protected]) PORT MACQUARIE AIRPORT NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2020 I PAGE 2 OF 10 Fly Neighbourly Agreement Aircraft movements at Port Macquarie Airport increased from around 30,000 movement in 2010 to almost 60,000 movements in 2019, primarily due to growth in pilot training. Within the industry, we are well aware of the benefits of this training in developing future pilots, creating jobs and other economic benefits. The resulting aircraft noise however, has led to an increased number of complaints received by Council regarding aircraft noise over residential areas. In mid-2020, Council examined the impact of pilot training and aircraft noise, including a formal “Have Your Say” community engagement survey. The survey attracted significant interest, with 751 responses received. Council also engaged specialist acoustics consultant, GHD, to undertake a technical noise monitoring study to assess aircraft noise levels. This study was undertaken over a 2 week period from 22 June to 6 July, with six (6) monitoring points located at representative locations around the Airport within the primary circuit training area. The results were presented to Council at the 21 October 2020 meeting, which included the following conclusions: there has been a significant increase in pilot training circuit activities and other general aviation aircraft movements during the past 10 years; this has led to an increase in complaints regarding aircraft noise from residents living in the vicinity of the Airport; for those residents affected by aircraft noise, they report that circuit activities are significantly impacting their quality of life; there is also considerable Image: Aircraft movements at Port Macquarie Airport since 2010/11 support reported by respondents for general aviation, including pilot training activities; and the technical noise monitoring has identified that aircraft noise in the vicinity of the airport is within “acceptable” levels (ref. AS 2021:2015 and industry standards). The Council full report and minutes on Pilot Training and Aircraft Noise are available at: www.pmhc.nsw.gov.au/About-Us/How-Council-Works/Council-and-Committee-Meetings/Council-Meeting- Agendas-and-Minutes At this meeting, Council resolved to “investigate the establishment of a formal “fly neighbourly agreement” to include practical measures to minimise aircraft noise in the vicinity of Port Macquarie Airport.” An Agreement would typically consider aspects such as operating procedures, times of operation, flight paths, etc. We have engaged Aviation Projects, to liaise with stakeholders and provide technical advice. Aviation Projects is currently conducting interviews and further investigations with a view to presenting a draft agreement in early 2021. Should you have any queries or require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact Peter Allen. PORT MACQUARIE AIRPORT NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2020 I PAGE 3 OF 10 Parallel taxiway project On 2 July 2020, the Federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications awarded Council $3,538,260 under the Regional Airports Program to construct a Stage 1 parallel taxiway and conduct essential pavement renewal works at Port Macquarie Airport. The project aims to enhance the safety and operational efficiency of Port Macquarie Airport through the construction of a 1200m code A parallel taxiway to reduce runway occupancy times for Code A general aviation aircraft and associated airspace congestion. The parallel taxiway is identified as a development priority in the Port Macquarie Airport Master Plan 2010 and companion Master Plan Addendum Report published in 2013. This project represents Stage 1 of a future full-length Code C parallel taxiway. The staged approach achieves desired safety outcomes and improves operational efficiency for current aircraft movements. The project also includes essential renewal works to resurface existing general aviation taxiways and aprons to enhance access and facilitate the delivery of essential goods and services including aeromedical and other emergency services. Pavement renewal and resurfacing will include existing taxiways F2, C1, C2 and C3, as well as aprons GA1 and GA2. The first stage of this project, the decommissioning and relocation of the Bureau of Meteorology Aerodrome Weather Information Service (AWIS) has already commenced, with the majority of services relocated in October 2020. The detailed design is underway and a DA, with Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), is expected to be lodged in early 2021. Construction of the taxiway and pavement renewal works are not expected to commence until 2022. Image: Parallel taxiway concept design showing intersection with existing taxiways PORT MACQUARIE AIRPORT NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2020 I PAGE 4 OF 10 Security screening changes in 2021 On 8 May 2018, the Australian Government announced measures to further strengthen Australia's domestic and international aviation security. The strengthened