MINUTES AAA Tasmanian Division Meeting

24th March 2016, 0900-1300

Launceston Airport Boardroom

Chair: Melinda Percival

Attendees: Mel Percival (Chair) Paul Hodgen (Deputy Chair) Matt Cocker Hobart Airport Michael Cullen Launceston Airport Peter Holmes Launceston Airport Michael Wells Burnie Wynyard Airport Peter Friel Brent Mace Devonport Airport Jared Feehely AAA Rod Sullivan Burnie Wynyard Airport Kent Quigley Airservices Australia Daniel Taylor Fulton Hogan Ben Foot Flinders Island Kim Berwick Strahan/Queenstown Airports Ross Hibbins Vaisala Ken McGivern Downer Charles Kahl Fulton Hogan Michael McLeod Launceston Airport (partial)

Apologies: Rod Parry Hobart Airport Caroline Wilkie AAA Raoul Harper Flinders Island Simon Chandler Launceston Airport Tony Melis Tom Griffiths Airports Plus Pty Ltd Marcus Stephens Downer Group Stuart Hurd Hobart Airport Bernard Smith BGPS Consulting Gary Lawther Marco Mercuri BP Ross Ioakim Downer Group Nicole Stones King Island Airport Shannon Wells Airlines of Laura McColl ADB Safegate Bridget Conroy Rehbein

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1. Welcome and Introductions

Mel Percival, Chair of AAA TAS Division opened the meeting and thanked members for attendance. The minutes from last TAS Divisional meeting held in Hobart were tabled and noted by members. Michael Wells moved their acceptance and this was seconded by Michael Cullen.

Mel Percival acknowledged with sadness the recent passing of Jeff Grace, Manager , a dear colleague and member of the AAA TAS Division who will be sorely missed by all. Paul Hodgen attended the funeral on Flinders Island on 19th March on behalf of the AAA.

The recent tragic passing of Kevin Gould of CASA was also acknowledged by the members.

2. National Conference

Mel Percival noted the overwhelming success of the 2015 AAA National Conference held in Hobart which attracted more than 600 attendees and thanked all for their input. It was noted that Launceston Airport had been awarded AAA Major Airport of the year for 2015 at the conference.

3. National Board Meeting

Mel Percival briefed the group regarding the recent National Board meeting under the newly appointed chair, Guy Thompson of . A recent strategy day explored the new key pillars of the Association, including:

• Membership recruitment; Retention; Mix • Events & meetings • Resourcing • Networks & Advocacy • Stakeholder Engagement • Industry leadership • Industry Development • Processes and Diversity

4. AAA National Update

Jared Feehely, AAA Regional Airports Officer, provided members with a summary update of major topics and initiatives undertaken by the AAA and upcoming focus areas. This summary included:

• Changes in the organisational structure including the impending maternity leave of Caroline Wilkie (CEO) commencing 5 September. Nick Lane will fulfil the role of Acting CEO with Simon Bourke assuming responsibility for policy and advocacy matters. Karla McMahon, Louise English and Denise Kingsley have also recently joined the team.

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• Four new Practice Notes have been developed including the recently issued Airside Safety and upcoming notes addressing Wildlife Hazard Management and Considerations for Disability Access. • Major projects included: . Education: The recent departure of the AAA Education Manager was noted. Mentoring program nominations are closing imminently so any nominees should contact Jared immediately. . Airport Practice Notes: Introduction to Airfield Lighting (11) and Introduction to Pavements (12) are under development. . Regional Airport Infrastructure Project: determining the need and ability to fund infrastructure development at Regional ports. . Small Regional Aerodrome Network Teleconferences: kick off again on April 16th 2016. . MOS 139 Review: NPRM to be released Jun 2016.

• Policy Focus: Security, Planning, CASA, Deregulation, Regional Infrastructure • Policy and Advocacy Submissions: More than 70 submissions have been made to government and other stakeholders, with the AAA portraying a cohesive voice for the industry.

Members were reminded that individual airport feedback (from airports of all sizes) is critical in order to enable AAA to present comprehensive representative submissions (in particular for matters of interest to smaller airports).

• Industry engagement in forums and meetings and 1-1 engagement with Ministers, DIRD and CASA (new Minister of Infrastructure and Transport is Hon Darren Chester M.P.)

Jared outlined the committee and working group structures encouraging any members with interest in joining such groups to contact him.

• Events: Airports Ops Swap Forum 25-26May BNE, Safety Week 17-21 Oct nationally, National Conference 21-25 Nov CBR (note hotac limited)

Jared reminded members that speakers were still being sought for the upcoming National conference, including the Commercial Day. Reference was also made to the new “Award” categories.

Members were encouraged to make use of the desks and meeting room in the new AAA offices at CBR airport when visiting.

Members were encouraged to submit photos of their airports for potential inclusion in AAA publications.

Kent Quigley noted that the quality of Method of Work Plans (MOWP’s) was variable and that there may be value in having a AAA Workshop or to provide a Practice Note to specifically address this. Jared highlighted that MOWP material was currently contained in the Industry Resource Library and Air Safety Airport Practice note.

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Charles Kahl offered to share examples of recent MOWP’s from other ports with any members who required same.

A second area thought merited for further training support was the skillset required for airport operators in the preparation of NOTAMs.

5. Around the Ports

Hobart: (Matt Cocker) The airport continues with its terminal expansion the first phase of which is due for completion in May 16. Further phases will see delivery of a new arrivals hall and in due course the program will ultimately double the size of the departure lounge.

Groundwork on the new runway extension is anticipated to commence later this year.

The airport has witnessed a significant increase in Antarctic operations including C17 activity.

The port has also experienced strong recent passenger growth and seen an upturn in external audit activity including CASA, OTS, the annual Technical Inspection and an external security audit in which Hobart partnered with Sydney. An active shooter training program has been rolled out with further Tas Police training scheduled for Blundstone Arena in early April (including a possible airport-specific session at the end of April)

Flinders Island: (Ben Foot) A restructure of roles has occurred at the airport following Jeff Graces passing. The recent degradation of the runway (which will be the subject of a subsequent presentation) resulted in CASA alerts being issued. The airport/council are in the process of investigating options, including a possible realigned new runway.

Devonport: (Peter Friel and Brent Mace) The runway overlay (last done in 1982) commences next week. The 3 week program will be undertaken by Fulton Hogan. TVASIS will be removed and replaced with PAPI. The airport has recently introduced operational management software (which will be the subject of a subsequent presentation). The airport is looking to develop a Traffic management Plan. Passenger numbers grew 10% last year but have been static this year.

Burnie Wynyard: (Rod Sullivan & Michael Wells) Rod will be paring back his workload in the coming months. An SMS review is underway with a gap analysis having been conducted already. Rod drew the attention of members to the SMS guidance material incorporated on the CASA website. The airport is also in the process of conducting a risk assessment and update of its Risk Register. An LED “Smart” light replacement program has been completed with an anticipated 2-5 year payback. It is also intended to install LED in the car park. Passenger numbers for the first 3 months are up 3% and there has been a significant increase in fire-fighting related operational activity. (1,000 movements in 3 weeks)

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Launceston: (Peter Holmes, Paul Hodgen and Michael Cullen) The PAPI exemption expires in June and will prompt an extension request, a new exemption or double sided installation. The recently completed runway overlay has now entered the defects liability period. A 5-yearly Wildlife Management Plan is being completed by Avisure. The annual emergency exercise is scheduled for April 13th and an invitation was extended to any members who might like to observe same. OTS will visit in April to conduct audits. Tenders will be issued shortly for Taxiway Delta remediation work. The annual SMS audit by SAI Global is scheduled in April. Construction will commences shortly on a hangar for a privately-owned Citation aircraft.

The terminal transformation Phase II was completed in February with the opening of the Boags Upper Deck bar & restaurant and the new licenced Hudsons outlet. The 600sq metre extension offers stunning views with the restaurants boasting more than 90% use of locally sourced produce. The “Launceston Store” opened in December delivering on its brief of introducing a greater “sense of place” in the fitout and offering. Free public Wi-Fi was also delivered as part of the program. The third phase is due to complete in May with the installation of a Wilderness Expresso Coffee outlet and a refurbished Hudsons Coffee gate kiosk. The signage and wayfinding program rollout (internal and external) is nearing completion with Mandarin language elements incorporated into key signs. Launceston has also launched a Customer Care Volunteer Program at the airport.

Fulton Hogan: (Charles Kahl and Daniel Taylor) Fulton Hogan has now established a permanent presence in Tasmania with Charles Kahl heading up the team. The FH team remain available to all members for advice and support with a suite of technical advisors at their service.

Vaisala: (Ross Hibbins) Transmissometer installation has been completed for RVR purposes at PER and CBR and another upcoming major port. The company has witnessed an increase in the number of queries relating to QNH weather-stations and its’ “Thunderstorm Manager” web-based lightning management system recently installed at DRW and under trail in 3-4 other ports. HBA requested further details on the system.

Downer: (Ken McGivern) Ken is the state manager for Tasmania and is Hobart-based. A new asphalt plant is going into Hobart for completion in July/August. The Downer team are also able to offer a wide range of technical support services to members.

Strahan & Queenstown: (Kim Berwick) Kim briefed the group on her recent involvement with the airport side of the business, acknowledged amongst others the assistance proffered by the late Kevin Gould and sought assistance and mentoring from AAA TAS members. Airport has been busy with firefighting staging activity. has identified the tourism opportunity to grow the airport. Kim has engaged with CASA and Tom Griffiths to leverage their expertise. The airport is at the

5 stage of networking with a view to approach government to fund further economic development with a long term view of attracting RPT operators.

6. MOS 139 Development update – Jared Feehely An update was provided on the status of the project with a six month delay anticipated as a result of shortage of regulation documentation resources. The enormity of the task involved in certain chapters was underestimated. NPRM for full consultation expected by mid-June, leading to a 3 month review. A notice of final rulemaking is anticipated by September with the final rule issued by Feb 2017. Joe Hayne has since taken on the workload of the late Kevon Gould, assisted by Darren Angelo. CASA resources are now stretched and the above timescales are considered optimistic

Ex gratia rates equivalent dispute Paul Hodgen and Mel Percival briefed the group on the rates valuation dispute. The Department has recently engaged an in dependent valuer from Herron Todd White, the findings of which are expected imminently. The principal issues relate to the determination of aeronautical and non -aeronautical assets and the appropriate valuation thereof. Although the arbitration may resolve the existing dispute, it is likely to require the agreement on a MOU to resolve future issues.

7. Tourism Infrastructure Dispersal Project

Both Hobart and Launceston airports have successfully accessed a government co-funding arrangement to deliver tourism dispersal infrastructure. Launceston has already used some of the funds to put in place large scale imagery of iconic tourism locations, with QR code icons linked to relevant Regional Tourism Office pages. The project team are also currently working with Tourism Tasmania and relevant RTO’s to explore the opportunity for a social media aggregator platform to display moderated social media feeds (pictures and posts) from visitors around the state onto TV screens in the airport arrivals hall. The opportunity also exists to direct the feeds onto airport websites. Although the displayed content can be regionalised, a challenge exists around geolocation of the posts.

8. Government funded Free Wi-Fi

The group discussed the approach recently made by State Growth in relation to the roll-out of the state scheme. Both LST and HBA have now declined to participate, having rolled out their own schemes in the interim. Members were cautioned to pay particular attention to the download and usage restrictions which may not be conducive to a major public space. Burnie- Wynyard noted they would need to upgrade existing equipment.

9. RFDS Presentation – John Kirwan, CEO

John Kirwan briefed the meeting on the transformation currently underway within RFDS. The upcoming arrival of Pilates jet aircraft into the RFDS fleet in WA and SA was noted. Tasmania

6 was highlighted as the most geographically dispersed state. RFDS reaffirmed their support for the FLS runway program and the Cape Barron upgrade (which had not received such a positive response) The challenges arising posed to health providers by the influx of visitors and adventure tourists to the likes of King Island was highlighted (potential medical evacuation requirements). RFDS activity currently comprised only 100 primary evacuations with the majority of movements being inter-hospital transfers e.g. Wynyard to LGH. The current focus is on fixed wing; rotary and road and on one base (with a holding facility). The future may see more centralisation on major Victorian hospitals. Jared Feehely commented that AAA CBR continue to work with RFDS in support of funding.

10. Airservices Australia (AsA) Update - Kent Quigley

The structural changes to AsA with the appointment of Jason Hartfield as CEO was noted. It was also noted that Shane Carmody will replace Andrew Wilson as deputy secretary of DIRD. AsA are conducting an Accelerate Program which entails a business diagnostic and efficiency review. ASA intends to freeze prices to airlines between now and 1 July 2017.

An independent FAQs document pertaining to the health effects of PFC’s was distributed. Kent highlighted that AsA had been actively working with the industry on the matter, had conducted a recent briefing in CBR and had formed an Industry reference Group which was to meet quarterly. Peter Friel of DPO queried the impact from a health perspective and it was noted had developed some useful guidelines for staff. AsA has substantial material on the matter and Kent encouraged members to contact him should they require further information.

Some 11 ground-based navaids are due for decommissioning in Tasmania. Airports will be notified by letter in due course.

A significant increase in laser interference with aircraft has been noted and similarly with drone activity in some cases requiring evasive action.

CASA is conducting a review of airspace in HBA and LST which will include the introduction of SIDS and STARS.

AsA is currently providing extensive support to HBA in respect of the runway extension and the associated relocation of NAVAIDS.

11. Operations Management System – Peter Friel - DPO

Peter Friel made a presentation to the meeting on the new system used to record serviceability inspections, VIC passes, Wildlife management etc., which provides an opportunity to replace the current paper based systems with a web based application. Rod Sullivan remarked that the wildlife management data might be further improved by incorporating strike data. A further

7 section is being developed to house all inspections and audits. The server sits in Sydney. GIS capability is provided on the iPad.

12. Flinders Island Runway Degradation – Ben Foot FLS

Ben Foot made a presentation to the group highlighting the challenges (in a pictorial manner) presented by the runway deterioration at Flinders Island and the sub-base issues caused by water penetration, requiring ongoing patching activity. A site study is being conducted for a possible newly orientated runway.

13. Tasmanian Freight Strategy - Paul Hodgen and Mel Percival

The meeting was briefed on the shortcomings of the recently published Tasmanian Draft Freight Strategy. In submissions made by both LST and HBA, the issues of the market distortion caused by the inequitable application of the Freight Equalisation Scheme was highlighted. Government was encouraged to consider allowing greater private investment in freight infrastructure and to incorporate more strategic initiatives to address the disproportionate share of the freight market afforded to airfreight. The paucity of airfreight data was also highlighted. It is expected that government may do little to “rock the boat” on the application of the current TFES. The likelihood is that government will look at current reporting and future forecasting of fright types and volumes. In general the strategy is extremely biased towards shipping.

14. State Planning Provisions – Mel Percival

Currently only the two federally leased airports have been addressed and there is a need to get feedback from both types of airports in Tasmania. It was noted that council run airports can only mention and adopt conditions as mentioned in the Planning Scheme and are thus wholly reliant on its content. Attenuation code 27.1 contains an Airport Impact Management Code but the scheme lacks an “Airport Zone” and is too general in nature. It doesn’t adequately address protection of the airport asset itself. Rod Sullivan volunteered to give thought to what should be incorporated in relation to privatised airports. The original goal was to get standardisation across the state, which has not been achieved and exposes smaller airports to considerable risk as they can’t rely on anything else to enforce. Mel Percival will send out links to the two documents. The AAA is involved through Simon Bourke.

15. Any Other Business

Peter Holmes briefed the group on how Launceston airport was addressing the emergence of UBER. UBER is essentially a hire vehicle for public use and reward. If approved by state Government, the airport will accept them under the same considerations as other commercial vehicles. LST will be issuing vehicle ID tags. From a ground transportation perspective there will be a significant reliance on taxi drivers and other commercial operators to “police” activity. PINS mechanism can be used to enforce.

Paul Hodgen queried the members on whether any made use of services of a DAME qualified doctor on a regular basis at their ports. Launceston is considering surveying operational

8 stakeholders to gauge interest.

16. Meeting Close:

The meeting closed at 1300 and was followed by a tour of the new retail areas recently constructed at Launceston airport including “The Launceston Store” and a 600 sqm extension to the terminal frontage housing the Boags Upper Deck Bar and Restaurant and a new licenced Hudsons.

17. Next meeting:

Hobart Airport on 8th September with Dinner on the night of 7th September.

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