The concern related to the safety of the runway construction works in relation to the contractor’s experience in an aviation environment and the level of experience of the works safety officers employed.
The reporter expressed a number of safety concerns regarding the safety of the airport extension project.
The reporter advised that:
1. the project is very complex, involving a displaced threshold and will close one of the two existing taxiways from the runway to the apron / terminal area.
2. the Works Safety Officers (WSO) may not have experience and will be overwhelmed by the scale of the project. These WSOs will be required to communicate on a regular basis with air traffic with little or no experience.
3. this airport brings into play issues such as altitude and poor weather, factors not necessarily present at other Australian aerodromes.
The reporter questioned whether:
4. a formal and comprehensive aviation risk management plan will be undertaken to mitigate against the aviation risks of the project.
5. fully resourced airside capable vehicles, particularly with hard wired VHF radios for continuous two way communications with aircraft in the CTAF environment, will be available during the building works.
- The project involves three airside stages which have been planned and are outlined in the Method of Works Plan (MOWP) that has been prepared collaboratively by the operator, City Council, and Specialist Consultants and in consultation with the airlines. This MOWP has been submitted to CASA and the affected Airlines and other key stakeholders for final comment. The planning and staging has been done to simplify the project.
The Works in Work Area Alpha do require a displaced threshold. This is not an unusual measure when extending an aerodrome runway. All current aircraft approach and departure distances and gradients have been assessed and comply with the requirements of MOS.
The existing RPT Apron Works will be staged in two parts. When work is being carried out on the western side of the apron, access for aircraft will be via Taxiway Bravo. When work is being carried out on the eastern side of the apron, access for aircraft will be via Taxiway Alpha. There will be temporary line marking and unserviceability markers in place to clearly indicate this to aircraft. - This statement seems to be based on some false assumptions. In addition to the duty WSOs and AROs being provided by the City Council, we will be providing staff WSOs and AROs for the duration of the airside works. Our staff have experience working on much larger projects. I think the statement regarding staff being overwhelmed and having little or no experience is false and without basis.
- To our knowledge the potential for poor weather is an issue at every Australian Airport. We find this a ridiculous statement. With regards to high altitude, we are aware of the effect this has on the performance of aircraft, in particular RPT aircraft. That is why Council has been working in consultation with the airlines regarding the performance of their aircraft at altitude. All distances and gradients have taken into account this factor.
- Risk assessments have been carried out by the City Council (the Aerodrome Operator) and the Contractor to identify all risks on the project and mitigate these risks. These Risk Assessments are being continually assessed and amended.
- We will be providing airside vehicles that comply with all airside requirements as we have done on previous projects.
We understand that it is the responsibility of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau to investigate all reports into Aviation Safety. We along with our Client and our other partners are committed to delivering a safe project and welcome feedback from all stakeholders regarding any safety concerns on this or any other project.
CASA has reviewed the REPCON and the response by the aerodrome operator. CASA regularly conducts surveillance of both the relevant aircraft operators and the aerodrome and will follow up on any issues.