Ballina airspace design - introduction of controlled airspace

Overview

To support the introduction of controlled airspace around Ballina, CASA is seeking feedback on the proposed preliminary airspace design. The design aims to safely accommodate continued growth of air traffic in the region.

We are asking for feedback from people who use airspace in the Ballina area including local flying schools, aero clubs, operators, and industry bodies. Your feedback will help us refine the design to support the Airspace Change Proposal (ACP). 

Airservices Australia is leading consultation with the community via their Engage Airservices website.

The proposed design

The proposed airspace design aims to balance the variety of operations in the Ballina area to maximise access while enhancing safety.

The airspace architecture proposes a series of controlled airspace steps commencing with a Control Zone in the immediate vicinity of the airport (7 nm along the extended centreline of either runway end and 3.5 nm laterally) with vertical limits of the controlled zone extending from the surface (SFC) to 1,500 ft above mean sea level (AMSL).

A series of control area steps are then proposed to commence from 1,500 ft to 8,500 ft AMSL. The steps extend approximately 20 nm to the east, 32 nm to the west, and out to 45 nm to the southwest to capture the main direction of arrivals in approach airspace.

Proposed changes also include: 

• aligning the northern lateral boundary with the existing controlled airspace in the vicinity of the Gold Coast approximately 10 nm from Ballina
• categorising the airspace between the SFC and 4,500 ft AMSL as Class D
• categorising the airspace from 4,500 ft to 8,500 ft AMSL to be Class C to align with the adjacent current Class C steps.

Proposed airspace concept:

Click to view full image or download under Related.

The airspace architecture has been designed to contain a series of instrument flight procedures as well as standard arrival and departure paths. A key principle of the proposed design is to retain the current airspace usage patterns where possible.

The maps provided below show the proposed flightpaths for both runways when the Evans Head restricted airspace is activated. 

Airservices Australia have developed an interactive map which provides additional detail.

Flightpaths - Runway 06 - Restricted airspace off:

Flightpaths - Runway 06 - Restricted airspace on:

Flightpaths - Runway 24 - Restricted airspace off:

Flightpaths - Runway 24 - Restricted airspace on:

Click to view full images or download under Related.

Background

Airspace around Ballina Airport will be controlled by air traffic controllers in 2025 as CASA and Airservices Australia move to develop services to accommodate the airport’s growth.

This follows an airspace review of the Ballina region in 2022. This review included feedback from industry and subsequent discussions with Airservices Australia on timing for the establishment of controlled airspace and air traffic services.

Why your views matter

Why we are consulting

The feedback received will help inform the final design in preparation for the Airspace Change Proposal for the Ballina region with Airservices Australia.

What happens next

Once the consultation has closed, we will:

• review all comments received
• make responses publicly available on the consultation hub (unless you request your submission remain confidential)
• provide an update through the Consultation Hub on any intended changes and next steps.

If you would like to provide further feedback, please email OAR@casa.gov.au. Feedback submitted by email will be considered but cannot be published publicly.

Further information about airspace regulation and the airspace change process is available on the CASA website.

Information about how we consult and how to make a confidential submission is available on the CASA website. To be notified of any future consultations, you can subscribe to our consultation and rulemaking mailing list.