VOLUME 7 - Department of DefenceVolume 7 Environmental Management Framework Volume 8 References and...

EPBC Reference: 2010/5747

July 2014

Prepared by

VOLUME 7

DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT FOR FLYING OPERATIONS OF THE F-35A LIGHTNING II

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK

Disclaimer This document is published in accordance with and subject to an agreement between Coffey and the client for whom it has

been prepared, Department of Defence (‘Client’), and is restricted to those issues that have been raised by the client in its

engagement of Coffey and prepared using the standard of skill and care ordinarily exercised by environmental scientists in the

preparation of such documents.

Any person or organisation that relies on or uses the document for purposes or reasons other than those agreed by Coffey and

the Client without first obtaining the prior written consent of Coffey, does so entirely at their own risk and Coffey denies all

liability in tort, contract or otherwise for any loss, damage or injury of any kind whatsoever (whether in negligence or otherwise)

that may be suffered as a consequence of relying on this document for any purpose other than that agreed with the Client.

© Coffey Environments Australia Pty Ltd ABN 65140765902. July 2014

126 Trenerry Crescent Abbotsford Vic 3067 Australia

t +61 3 9473 1400 f +61 3 9473 1450 coffey.com

Report Reference No.:ENAUABTF1446_6

Project Director Carolyn Balint

Project Manager Kristen Hall

Record of Distribution

Report Status Details Date Authorised by

V1 First Draft to Client November 2013 Carolyn Balint

V2 Second Draft to Client February 2014 Carolyn Balint

V3 Final Draft to Client March 2014 Carolyn Balint

V4 Draft to Department of Environment April 2014 Carolyn Balint

V5 Final July 2014 Carolyn Balint

GUIDE TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

The Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Flying Operations of the F-35A Lightning II

consists of 12 volumes. A table of contents, including lists of figures, tables, plates and

appendices, is located at the beginning of Volumes 1 to 7.

Executive Summary

Volume 1 Project Background (Chapters 1 to 7)

Volume 2 RAAF Base Williamtown and Salt Ash Air Weapons Range (Chapters 8 to 15)

Volume 3 RAAF Base Tindal (Chapters 16 to 23)

Volume 4 RAAF Base Townsville (Chapters 24 to 31)

Volume 5 RAAF Base Darwin (Chapters 32 to 39)

Volume 6 Other Bases (Chapters 40 to 42)

Volume 7 Environmental Management Framework

Volume 8 References and Glossary

Volume 9 Appendices A to E

Volume 10 Appendix F

Volume 11 Appendices G to I

Volume 12 Appendices J to M

Environmental Impact Statement

Flying Operations of the F-35A Lightning II

Table of Contents

Coffey 1446_6_TOC_v5

i

CONTENTS

VOLUME 1: PROJECT BACKGROUND

1. INTRODUCTION 1-1

1.1 New Air Combat Capability Project 1-1

1.1.1 Joint Strike Fighter Program 1-1

1.1.2 F-35A Aircraft 1-3

1.2 Environmental Impact Statement for Proposed Flying Operations of

the F-35A Lightning II 1-3

1.2.1 Environmental Assessment and Approval 1-3

1.2.2 Public Environment Report 1-5

1.2.3 Supplementary Public Environment Report 1-5

1.2.4 EPBC Act Referral 1-5

1.2.5 Environmental Impact Statement 1-6

1.2.6 Purpose of the EIS 1-6

1.3 The Proponent 1-7

1.4 EIS Structure 1-7

1.4.1 Viewing and Obtaining Copies of the EIS 1-9

1.4.2 EIS Process and Schedule 1-9

1.4.3 Submissions 1-10

1.5 Public Consultation 1-10

2. PROJECT RATIONALE 2-1

2.1 Australia’s National Security 2-1

2.1.1 Defence White Paper 2013 2-1

2.1.2 Strong and Secure: A Strategy for Australia’s National

Security 2-2

2.1.3 Australian Defence Force Posture Review 2-2

2.2 Australia’s Multi-Role Combat Aircraft 2-2

2.2.1 Current Aircraft – F/A-18A/B Hornet Aircraft 2-3

2.2.2 Replacement Aircraft – F-35A Aircraft 2-3

2.3 Project Justification 2-3

2.4 Compliance with Commonwealth Objectives 2-6

2.4.1 Objectives of the EPBC Act 2-6

2.4.2 Principles of Ecologically Sustainable Development 2-7

3. LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK AND ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS 3-1

3.1 Commonwealth Legislation 3-1

3.1.1 Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act

1999 3-1

3.1.2 EIS Process 3-2

3.1.3 Other Commonwealth Legislation 3-4

3.2 State and Territory Legislation 3-7

3.2.1 New South Wales 3-7

3.2.2 Northern Territory 3-8



Table of Contents


ii

3.2.3 Queensland 3-9

3.2.4 South Australia 3-10

3.2.5 Western Australia 3-11

3.3 Polluter Pays Principle 3-12

3.4 Defence Policies and Strategies 3-13

3.4.1 Defence Environment Policy 3-13

3.4.2 Defence Environmental Strategic Plan 3-13

3.4.3 Defence Environmental Management System 3-14

3.4.4 Defence Ecologically Sustainable Development Strategy 3-14

3.4.5 Defence Heritage Strategy 3-14

4. CONSIDERATION OF OPTIONS 4-1

4.1 Selection of RAAF Base Williamtown and RAAF Base Tindal 4-1

4.2 Selection of Salt Ash Air Weapons Range 4-2

4.3 Selection of Secondary Locations 4-4

4.4 Selection of Proposed Flying Operations 4-5

4.5 Not Proceeding 4-5

4.6 Conclusion 4-6

4.7 RAAF Base Williamtown Runway Options 4-6

4.7.1 Overview 4-6

4.7.2 Identification of Potential Runway Options 4-7

4.7.3 Potential Runway Option One Extension 4-10

4.7.4 Potential Runway Option Two Translocation and Extension 4-19

4.7.5 Potential Runway Option Three Duplication 4-21

4.7.6 Summary of Evaluation 4-28

4.7.7 Noise Considerations 4-28

4.7.8 Runway Options Conclusion 4-35

5. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSAL 5-1

5.1 Project Overview 5-1

5.1.1 New Air Combat Capability Project 5-1

5.1.2 Australia’s Multi-role Air Combat Aircraft 5-1

5.2 Schedule 5-4

5.3 Areas Considered Under EIS 5-4

5.3.1 Main Operating Bases 5-4

5.3.2 Salt Ash Air Weapons Range 5-4

5.3.3 Other Air Weapons Ranges and Exercise Ranges 5-6

5.3.4 Forward Operating Bases 5-6

5.3.5 Other Bases 5-6

5.4 Proposed Flying Operations 5-7

5.4.1 Development of the Proposed Flying Operations 5-7

5.4.2 Activities 5-8

5.4.3 Hours of Operations 5-8

5.4.4 Movements 5-9

5.4.5 Formation Flying 5-13

5.4.6 Flight Profiles 5-13

5.4.7 Flight Paths 5-13



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6. STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT 6-1

6.1 Stakeholder Engagement to Date 6-1

6.2 Engagement Requirements 6-1

6.3 Engagement Objectives 6-2

6.4 Stakeholder Identification 6-3

6.5 Engagement Methods, Materials and Tools 6-3

6.5.1 Regulator Briefings 6-5

6.5.2 Stakeholder Engagement Sessions 6-5

6.5.3 Free-call, Post and Email 6-5

6.5.4 Fact Sheets 6-6

6.5.5 Public Notices 6-6

6.5.6 Website 6-7

6.5.7 Reporting and Feedback Management 6-7

6.6 Stakeholder Engagement and Outcomes 6-7

6.6.1 Stakeholder Engagement Sessions – Round One 6-9

6.6.2 Stakeholder Engagement Sessions – Round Two 6-10

6.6.3 Stakeholder Engagement Sessions – Round Three 6-10

6.7 Ongoing Engagement and Communication 6-11

6.7.1 Engagement during EIS Exhibition 6-11

6.7.2 Post EIS Engagement 6-11

7. IMPACT ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORK 7-1

7.1 Assessment Method 7-1

7.2 Environmental Values 7-2

7.3 Significance Assessment 7-2

7.3.1 Sensitivity of Environmental Values 7-3

7.3.2 Magnitude of Impact 7-5

7.3.3 Significance Assessment 7-7

7.3.4 Application of Significance Assessment 7-7

7.4 Risk Assessment Method 7-8

7.5 Compliance Assessment Method 7-10

7.6 Assessment of Cumulative Impact 7-10

VOLUME 2: RAAF BASE WILLIAMTOWN

8. PLANNING AND LAND USE 8-1

8.1 Assessment Method for Planning and Land Use 8-1

8.1.1 Characterisation Method 8-1

8.1.2 Study Area 8-2

8.1.3 Impact Assessment Method 8-2

8.2 Existing Planning and Land Use Environment 8-4

8.2.1 Land Use 8-4

8.2.2 Land Tenure 8-10

8.2.3 Planning Provisions 8-11

8.2.4 Environmental Values for Planning and Land Use 8-14

8.3 Potential Planning and Land Use Issues and Impacts 8-15

8.3.1 Planning Restrictions or Land Use Incompatibility 8-15



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iv

8.3.2 Residential Land Use 8-17

8.3.3 Non-Residential Land Use 8-17

8.3.4 Obstacle Limitation Surfaces 8-18

8.3.5 Property Values 8-18

8.4 Existing Mitigation and Management Measures for Land Use and

Planning 8-19

8.5 Significance of Potential Impacts 8-19


8.5.2 Magnitude of Impacts 8-20

8.5.3 Significance of Impacts 8-22

8.6 Additional Mitigation and Management Measures for Land Use and

Planning 8-25

8.7 Cumulative Planning and Land Use Impacts 8-25

8.8 Monitoring and Contingency 8-25

9. NOISE 9-1

9.1 Assessment Method for Noise 9-1

9.1.1 Aircraft Noise Prediction Modelling 9-2

9.1.2 Influence of Climate and Meteorology 9-2

9.1.3 Methods of Comparison 9-2


9.2 Existing Noise Environment 9-6

9.2.1 Human Perception of Noise 9-6

9.2.2 Typical Noise Scenarios 9-6

9.2.3 Setting 9-6

9.2.4 Existing Noise Emissions 9-7

9.2.5 Sensitive Receptors 9-7

9.2.6 Environmental Values for Noise 9-8

9.3 Potential Noise Issues and Impacts 9-8

9.3.1 Noise Disturbance at Sensitive Receptors 9-8

9.4 Existing Mitigation and Management Measures for Noise 9-11

9.4.1 Defence Policies 9-12

9.4.2 Flying Operation Initiatives 9-12

9.4.3 Summary of Existing Mitigation Measures 9-13

9.5 Evaluation of Additional Noise Mitigation Strategies 9-13

9.5.1 Departure Thrust Settings 9-13

9.5.2 Noise Impacts Comparison 9-14

9.5.3 Summary of Additional Mitigation Measures 9-14

9.6 Residual Noise Impacts 9-17

9.6.1 Overall Noise Disturbance 9-17

9.6.2 Comparison of Potential Noise Disturbance at Residential

Locations 9-34

9.6.3 Comparison of Noise Disturbance at Education Facilities 9-46

9.6.4 Comparison of Noise Disturbance at Public Buildings 9-49

9.6.5 Comparison of RAAF Base Williamtown and SAAWR

Noise Levels 9-53

9.6.6 Comparison of Vibration Impacts 9-54



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v

9.7 Sound Insulation 9-54

9.7.1 Commonwealth Government publication National Aviation

Policy White Paper 2009 9-54

9.7.2 Sound Insulation Costing 9-57

9.8 Cumulative Noise Impacts 9-58


9.9.1 Monitoring 9-58

9.9.2 Contingency 9-59

10. AIR QUALITY 10-1

10.1 Assessment Method for Air Quality 10-1

10.1.1 Air Pollutants of Interest 10-3

10.1.2 Emission Estimation 10-3

10.1.3 Air Quality Modelling 10-5

10.1.4 Air Quality Criteria 10-5

10.2 Existing Air Quality Environment 10-7


10.2.2 Background Air Quality Conditions 10-7

10.2.3 Influence of Topography, Climate and Meteorology 10-8

10.2.4 Environmental Values for Air Quality 10-10

10.3 Potential Air Quality Issues and Impacts 10-10

10.3.1 Estimated Emissions 10-10

10.3.2 Assessment of Impacts on Local Air Quality for RAAF Base

Williamtown 10-12

10.3.3 Fuel Dumping and Unburnt Fuel 10-12

10.3.4 Assessment of Impacts on Local Air Quality for Salt Ash Air

Weapons Range 10-13

10.3.5 Assessment of Impacts on Photochemical Smog

Generation 10-13

10.3.6 Greenhouse Gases 10-13

10.4 Existing Mitigation and Management Measures for Air Quality 10-13

10.5 Additional Mitigation and Management Measures for Air Quality 10-13

10.6 Residual Air Quality Impacts 10-14

10.7 Cumulative Air Quality Impacts 10-14




11. AIRCRAFT HAZARD AND RISK 11-1

11.1 Assessment Method for Aircraft Hazard and Risk 11-1

11.1.1 Accident and Incident Risk 11-2

11.1.2 Bird Strike Risk 11-4

11.2 Existing Aircraft Hazard and Risk Environment 11-4

11.2.1 Physical Environment 11-4

11.2.2 Current Operations 11-7

11.2.3 Environmental Values for Aircraft Hazard and Risk 11-7

11.3 Potential Issues and Impacts 11-7



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vi

11.3.1 Aircraft Accidents and Incidents 11-8

11.3.2 Bird Strike 11-9

11.4 Existing Mitigation and Management Measures for Aircraft Hazard and

Risk 11-10

11.4.1 Command and Control Procedures 11-11

11.4.2 Airfield Emergency Plan 11-12

11.4.3 Emergency Operations Centre 11-12

11.4.4 Bird and Wildlife Operational Management Plan 11-12

11.5 Accident and Incident Risk Assessment 11-12

11.5.1 Accident and Incident Rates 11-13

11.5.2 Proposed Operations 11-13

11.5.3 Occupancy Density 11-14

11.5.4 Likelihood of Exposure 11-14

11.5.5 Consequence of Impact 11-15


11.5.7 Change in Risk 11-18

11.6 Bird Strike Risk Assessment 11-18

11.6.1 Bird Strike Rates 11-18

11.6.2 Likelihood of Bird Strike 11-18

11.6.3 Consequence of Bird Strike 11-20



11.7 Additional Mitigation and Management Measures for Aircraft Hazard

and Risk 11-23

11.8 Residual Aircraft Hazard and Risk Impacts 11-23

11.9 Cumulative Hazard and Risk Impacts 11-23




12. BIODIVERSITY 12-1

12.1 Assessment Method for Biodiversity 12-1



12.2 Existing Biodiversity Environment 12-4

12.2.1 Regional Context 12-4

12.2.2 Vegetation and Habitat 12-4

12.2.3 Fauna and Populations 12-6

12.2.4 Environmental Values for Biodiversity 12-8

12.3 Potential Biodiversity Issues and Impacts 12-8

12.3.1 Increased Collisions with Aircraft 12-9

12.3.2 Disrupted Feeding, Roosting and Breeding Patterns 12-9

12.3.3 Impairment to Habitat Condition 12-13

12.4 Existing Mitigation and Management Measures for Biodiversity 12-13


12.5.1 Sensitivity of Environmental Values for Biodiversity 12-14




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12.6 Additional Mitigation and Management Measures for Biodiversity 12-20

12.7 Residual Biodiversity Impacts 12-20

12.8 Cumulative Biodiversity Impacts 12-20




13. WATER QUALITY 13-1

13.1 Assessment Method for Water Quality 13-1



13.2 Existing Environment 13-4

13.2.1 Catchment Areas 13-4

13.2.2 Surrounding Waterbodies 13-6

13.2.3 Environmental Values 13-11

13.3 Potential Water Quality Issues and Impacts 13-12

13.3.1 Defining Issues 13-12

13.3.2 Aircraft Emissions 13-13

13.3.3 Fuel Dumping 13-14

13.4 Existing Mitigation and Management Measures for Water Quality 13-14





13.6 Additional Mitigation and Management Measures for Water Quality 13-19

13.7 Residual and Cumulative Impacts 13-19

13.7.1 Residual Impacts 13-19

13.7.2 Cumulative Impact 13-19




14. SOCIO-ECONOMIC 14-1

14.1 Method for Socio-economic Assessment 14-1




14.2 Existing Socio-economic Environment 14-5

14.2.1 Demographic Characterisation 14-5

14.2.2 Existing Land Ownership and Use 14-5

14.2.3 Existing Health Conditions 14-6

14.2.4 Existing Economic Conditions 14-7

14.2.5 Existing Community Infrastructure and Communications 14-7

14.2.6 Socio-economic Values 14-8

14.3 Potential Socio-economic Issues and Impacts 14-9

14.3.1 Population and Demographic Change 14-9



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14.3.2 Changes to Land Ownership and Use 14-10

14.3.3 Changes to Health 14-11

14.3.4 Economic Changes 14-11

14.3.5 Changes to Community Infrastructure and Communications 14-12

14.4 Existing Mitigation and Management Measures for Socio-economic

Environment 14-12

14.5 Assessment of Socio-economic Impacts 14-13

14.5.1 Sensitivity of Socio-economic Values 14-13

14.5.2 Magnitude of Socio-economic Impacts 14-16

14.6 Significance of Socio-economic Impacts 14-21

14.6.1 Potential Impacts on Population and Demographics 14-21

14.6.2 Potential Impacts on Land Ownership and Use 14-21

14.6.3 Potential Impacts on Health 14-22

14.6.4 Potential Impacts on Economy 14-22

14.6.5 Potential Impacts on Community Infrastructure and

Communications 14-22

14.7 Additional Mitigation and Management Measures for Socio-economic

Environment 14-24

14.8 Residual Socio-economic Impacts 14-24

14.9 Cumulative Socio-economic Impacts 14-25

14.10 Monitoring and Contingency for Socio-economic Environment 14-25

15. SUMMARY 15-1


15.2 Proposed Operations at RAAF Base Williamtown and Salt Ash Air

Weapons Range 15-1

15.3 Environmental and Social Impact Assessment 15-2

15.4 Cumulative Impacts 15-3

VOLUME 3: RAAF BASE TINDAL







16.2.1 Land Zoning 16-4

16.2.2 Existing Land Use 16-6











Table of Contents


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Planning 16-17






Planning 16-25



17. NOISE 17-1









17.2.3 Setting 17-7












17.5.2 Noise Impacts Comparison 17-16





Locations 17-38

17.6.3 Comparison of Noise Disturbance at Non-residential

Sensitive Land Use Areas 17-49

17.6.4 Comparison of Other On-base Areas within the Airfield 17-52

17.6.5 Comparison of Vibration Impacts 17-56

17.7 Sound Insulation 17-56

17.7.1 Commonwealth Government Publication National Aviation

Policy White Paper 2009 17-56

17.7.2 Sound Insulation Costing 17-58



Table of Contents


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Tindal 18-11






















Risk 19-10






Table of Contents


xi

19.4.4 Wallaby and Wildlife Management Plan and Flying Fox

Management Plan 19-12
















and Risk 19-19













20.2.3 Fauna 20-6


















Table of Contents


xii

































22.2.3 Existing Health Conditions 22-6










22.4 Existing Mitigation and Management Measures for Socio–economic

Environment 22-12





Table of Contents


xiii










Environment 22-25




23. SUMMARY 23-1


23.2 Proposed Operations at RAAF Base Tindal 23-2


23.4 Cumulative Impacts 23-3

VOLUME 4: RAAF BASE TOWNSVILLE







24.2.1 Land Use 24-5












Planning 24-17






Planning 24-26




Table of Contents


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25. NOISE 25-1









25.2.3 Setting 25-6
















Locations 25-23



25.6.4 Comparison of Noise Disturbance at On-base Areas 25-28


















Table of Contents


xv




Townsville 26-12






















Risk 27-11




27.4.4 Wildlife Hazard Management Plan 27-12
















and Risk 27-22



Table of Contents


xvi













28.2.3 Fauna 28-6



































Table of Contents


xvii
















30.2.3 Existing Health Condition 30-6











Environment 30-13












Environment 30-24






Table of Contents


xviii

31. SUMMARY 31-1


31.2 Proposed Operations at RAAF Base Townsville 31-2


31.4 Cumulative Impacts and Impact Interactions 31-3

VOLUME 5: RAAF BASE DARWIN







32.2.1 Land Zoning 32-4












Planning 32-15






Planning 32-21



33. NOISE 33-1









33.2.3 Setting 33-6





Table of Contents


xix














Locations 33-24



33.6.4 Comparison of Noise Disturbance at On-base Areas 33-34



















Darwin 34-12












Table of Contents


xx













Risk 35-11



35.4.3 Emergency Control Centre 35-13

35.4.4 Bird and Animal Hazard Management System 35-13
















and Risk 35-24













36.2.3 Fauna and Populations 36-6



Table of Contents


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Sensitivity Classification Criteria 37-3

Magnitude Classification Criteria 37-3




Wetlands 37-9


Aquatic Ecosystems 37-9

Primary Industries 37-10

Recreation and Aesthetics 37-10

Drinking Water 37-10


















Table of Contents


xxii










38.2.3 Existing Health Condition 38-7











Environment 38-14












Environment 38-26




39. SUMMARY 39-1


39.2 Proposed Operations at RAAF Base Darwin 39-2


39.4 Cumulative Impacts and Impact Interactions 39-3

VOLUME 6: OTHER BASES

40. RAAF BASE AMBERLEY 40-1

40.1 Introduction 40-1



Table of Contents


xxiii



40.3.1 RAAF Base Amberley Operations 40-2

40.3.2 Planning and Land Use 40-2

40.3.3 Noise 40-4

40.3.4 Air Quality 40-4

40.3.5 Biodiversity 40-5

40.3.6 Water Quality 40-6

40.3.7 Socio-economic 40-6

40.4 Proposed Operations 40-7

40.5 Potential Impacts and Impact Assessment 40-8


40.5.2 Noise 40-9


40.5.4 Hazard and Risk 40-12



40.5.7 Socio-Economic 40-13

40.6 Cumulative Impact Assessment 40-13




41. RAAF BASE EDINBURGH 41-1




41.3.1 RAAF Base Edinburgh Operations 41-2


41.3.3 Noise 41-4








41.5.2 Noise 41-8











Table of Contents


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42. RAAF BASE PEARCE 42-1




42.3.1 RAAF Base Pearce Operations 42-3


42.3.3 Noise 42-4








42.5.2 Noise 42-9










VOLUME 7: ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK

43. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK 43-1


43.2 Legislative Context and Standards 43-1

43.3 Environmental Management System 43-2

43.3.1 Environmental Policy 43-2

43.3.2 Management Procedures 43-2

43.3.3 Hazard Identification and Environmental Risk Assessment 43-4

43.3.4 Environmental Objectives 43-5

43.3.5 Environmental Management Plans 43-6

43.3.6 Monitoring and Reporting 43-7

43.3.7 Roles and Responsibilities 43-10

43.3.8 Emergency Preparedness and Response 43-11

43.3.9 Environmental Auditing and Reporting 43-11

43.3.10 Record Control 43-12

43.4 Stakeholder Engagement 43-13

43.5 Addressing Complaints 43-14



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xxv

VOLUME 8: GLOSSARY AND REFERENCES

44. GLOSSARY 44-1

44.1 Units and Symbols 44-1

44.2 Terms and Abbreviations 44-1

45. REFERENCES 45-1

Tables

1.1 Structure of the EIS 1-8

1.2 Viewing locations for the EIS 1-9

1.3 Key EIS milestones and dates 1-10

1.4 EIS public consultation activities 1-11

2.1 Consistency with the EPBC Act 2-6

2.2 Consistency with principles of ecologically sustainable development 2-7

3.1 Relevant Commonwealth environmental legislation and approvals 3-4

3.2 Relevant Commonwealth environmental policies and guidelines 3-6

3.3 New South Wales legislation 3-7

3.4 New South Wales and local policies and guidelines 3-8

3.5 Northern Territory legislation 3-8

3.6 Northern Territory policies and guidelines 3-9

3.7 Queensland legislation 3-10

3.8 Queensland policies and guidelines 3-10

3.9 South Australian legislation 3-11

3.10 South Australian policies and guidelines 3-11

3.11 Western Australia legislation 3-12

3.12 Western Australia policies and guidelines 3-12

4.1 Basis for selection of the proposed MOBs 4-2

4.2 Summary of advantages and disadvantages of the four sites identified as potential

alternative sites to Salt Ash Air Weapons Range 4-3

4.3 Summary of advantages and disadvantages of various secondary locations 4-4

4.4 Evaluation of option one 4-10

4.5 Evaluation of option two 4-19

4.6 Evaluation of option three 4-26

5.1 Detailed aircraft specification comparison 5-3

5.2 Typical and expected aircraft movements 5-10

5.3 Distribution of departures for F-35A aircraft and F/A-18A/B Hornet aircraft 5-12

5.4 Distribution of arrivals for F/A-18A/B Hornet aircraft and F-35A aircraft 5-13

6.1 Number of stakeholder queries received 6-6

6.2 Stakeholder engagement sessions 6-9

7.1 Assessment method for all environmental aspects under consideration 7-1

7.2 Criteria for sensitivity of environmental values 7-4

7.3 Criteria for magnitude of impact 7-6

7.4 Matrix of significance 7-7

7.5 Criteria for consequence 7-9

7.6 Criteria for likelihood 7-9

7.7 Qualitative risk assessment matrix 7-9



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7.8 Projects included in the cumulative impact assessment 7-12

8.1 Sensitivity criteria of environmental values for planning and land use 8-2

8.2 Magnitude criteria used to define impacts to planning and land use 8-4

8.3 Commonwealth heritage sites located within RAAF Base Williamtown and SAAWR 8-10

8.4 Native Title applications and determinations within study area 8-10

8.5 Dwelling yields for potential subdivision, infill development and new release locations

within Port Stephens LGA 8-13

8.6 Building site acceptability based on ANEF contours 8-15

8.7 Sensitivity of environmental values for planning and land use 8-19

8.8 Magnitude of potential impacts for planning and land use 8-26

8.9 Significance of potential land use and planning impacts 8-22

8.10 Residential sites encompassed by ANEF contours before and after the inclusion of

the F-35A aircraft 8-22

8.11 ANEF contours of public buildings, places of worship and schools before and after

the inclusion of the F-35A aircraft 8-23

9.1 Typical noise levels for residential and situational scenarios 9-6

9.2 Typical maximum noise levels during low altitude procedures 9-10

9.3 Current and expected annual aircraft movements at RAAF Base Williamtown and

SAAWR 9-11

9.4 Summary of existing mitigation and management measures for noise 9-13

9.5 Residential dwellings within Williamtown ANECs under each take-off scenario 9-14

9.6 Summary of additional mitigation and management measures 9-14

9.7 Comparison of noise exceedances at dwellings and populations at and near RAAF

Base Williamtown and SAAWR 9-44

9.8 Comparison of noise exceedance events at educational facilities at and near RAAF

Base Williamtown and SAAWR 9-47

9.9 Comparison of noise exceedance events at public buildings at and near RAAF Base

Williamtown and SAAWR 9-52

10.1 NEPM (Ambient air quality) standards and goals 10-6

10.2 NEPM (Air toxics) Monitoring investigation levels 10-6

10.3 NSW Office of Environment and Heritage Ambient air quality guidelines 10-6

10.4 Background concentrations assumed for RAAF Base Williamtown 10-8

10.5 Seasonal wind directions at RAAF Base Williamtown 10-9

10.6 Description of atmospheric stability classes 10-9

10.7 Air emissions inventory for current and proposed activities 10-11

10.8 Predicted incremental change in SO2 concentrations from aircraft replacement 10-12

11.1 Likelihood scale 11-2

11.2 Scale of consequences for accident and incident risk 11-3

11.3 Scale of consequences for bird strikes 11-4

11.4 Summary of existing mitigation and management measures for aircraft hazard and

risk 11-11

11.5 Calculated population density 11-14

11.6 Likelihood of exposure for aircraft hazard and risk 11-15

11.7 Consequence of potential impacts for aircraft hazard and risk 11-16

11.8 Summary of accident and incident risk 11-17

11.9 Likelihood of exposure to bird strike occurring by species group 11-19

11.10 Consequence of bird strike by species group 11-20

11.11 Summary of bird strike risk by species group 11-22



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xxvii

12.1 Sensitivity of environmental values for biodiversity 12-3

12.2 Magnitude criteria used to define potential impacts to biodiversity 12-3

12.3 Summary of existing mitigation and management measures for biodiversity 12-14


12.5 Magnitude of potential impacts for biodiversity 12-16

12.6 Significance of potential biodiversity impacts 12-20

13.1 Sensitivity criteria of waterbodies 13-2

13.2 Magnitude criteria used to define impacts to waterbodies 13-4

13.3 Waterbodies within the vicinity of RAAF Base Williamtown and SAAWR 13-6

13.4 Water quality within Tilligerry Creek from December 2004 and December 2012 13-7

13.5 Water quality within Twelve Mile Creek from November 2008 and April 2009 13-9

13.6 Wetlands within the vicinity of RAAF Base Williamtown 13-10

13.7 Predicted changes in air emission concentrations for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and

sulfur dioxide (SO2) at RAAF Base Williamtown and SAAWR 13-14

13.8 Sensitivities of waterbodies for RAAF Base Williamtown and SAWWR 13-15

13.9 Magnitude of potential impacts to waterbodies near RAAF Base Williamtown and

SAAWR 13-17

13.10 Significance of potential impacts to waterbodies near RAAF Base Williamtown and

SAAWR 13-18

14.1 Criteria for sensitivity of socio-economic value 14-2

14.2 Criteria for magnitude of socio-economic impact 14-3

14.3 Educational facilities within 5 km of RAAF Base Williamtown 14-8

14.4 Socio-economic values 14-9

14.5 Summary of existing mitigation and management measures for the socio-economic

environment 14-13

14.6 Sensitivity of socio-economic values 14-14

14.7 Magnitude of potential impacts for socio-economic environment 14-17

14.8 Significance of potential socio-economic impacts 14-23







16.7 Comparison of residential sites encompassed by noise contours in 1997 ANEF and

2025 ANEC 16-21

16.8 Residential off-base sites encompassed by noise contours before (2008 ANEI) and

after (2025 ANEC) the inclusion of the F-35A aircraft 16-22

16.9 ANEF zones of public buildings, recreational facilities, places of worship and schools

before (1997 ANEF) and after (2025 ANEC) the inclusion of the F-35A aircraft 16-23

17.1 Typical noise levels for residential and situational scenarios 17-5

17.2 Typical noise levels during low altitude procedures 17-11

17.3 Current and expected annual aircraft movements at RAAF Base Tindal 17-12


17.5 Residential dwellings within the 2025 ANEC under each take-off scenario 17-16

17.6 Summary of additional mitigation and management measures 17-19

17.7 Comparison of the change in N70 and N85 ratings at dwellings and populations at

and near RAAF Base Tindal 17-45



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xxviii

17.8 Comparison of noise exceedance events at non-residential sensitive land use areas

at RAAF Base Tindal 17-50




18.4 Seasonal wind directions at RAAF Base Tindal 18-8






19.3 Scale of consequences for bird strikes 19-4


risk 19-10
















21.3 Water quality within Katherine River Catchment from 2003 and 2013 21-6


sulfur dioxide (SO2) at RAAF Base Tindal 21-10

21.5 Sensitivities of waterbodies for RAAF Base Tindal 21-12

21.6 Magnitude of potential impacts to waterbodies near RAAF Base Tindal 21-13

21.7 Significance of potential impacts to waterbodies near RAAF Base Tindal 21-13





environment 22-13










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xxix




2030 ANEC 24-21


2030 ANEC 24-22

24.9 ANE zones of public buildings, recreational facilities, schools and places of worship

before (2018 ANEF) and after (2030 ANEC) the inclusion of the F-35A aircraft 24-25

25.1 Typical noise scenarios 25-6


25.3 Current and expected aircraft movements at RAAF Base Townsville 25-12


25.5 Summary of additional mitigation and management measures for noise 25-15


26.2 NEPM (Air toxics) monitoring investigation levels 26-6

26.3 Queensland DEHP EPP (Air) ambient air quality guidelines 26-6

26.4 Background air pollutant concentrations assumed for RAAF Base Townsville 26-8

26.5 Seasonal wind directions at RAAF Base Townsville 26-9





27.2 Scale of consequences for accidents and incident risk 27-4

27.3 Scale of consequence for bird strikes 27-5


risk 27-11





27.9 RAAF Base Townsville bird strike summary by species 27-19












29.3 Waterbodies within the vicinity of RAAF Base Townsville 29-5

29.4 Water quality within Mundy Creek from April 2003 and January 2008 29-7

29.5 Water quality within Louisa Creek from November 2001 and January 2008 29-8

29.6 Wetlands within the vicinity of RAAF Base Townsville 29-9


sulfur dioxide (SO2) at RAAF Base Townsville 29-12



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xxx

29.8 Sensitivities of waterbodies for RAAF Base Townsville 29-14

29.9 Magnitude of potential impacts to waterbodies for RAAF Base Townsville 29-15

29.10 Significance of potential impacts to waterbodies at RAAF Base Townsville 29-16



30.3 Education facilities within 5 km of RAAF Base Townsville 30-8



environment 30-13






32.3 National parks, conservation areas and reserves located within the study area 32-8

32.4 Commonwealth heritage sites located within RAAF Base Darwin 32-10

32.5 Native Title applications and determinations within Darwin municipality 32-10





33.1 Typical noise scenarios 33-6


33.3 Current and expected aircraft movements at RAAF Base Darwin 33-13


33.5 Summary of additional mitigation and management measures for noise 33-16




34.4 Background air pollutant concentrations assumed for RAAF Base Darwin 34-8

34.5 Seasonal wind directions at RAAF Base Darwin 34-9






35.3 Scale of consequence of bird strikes 35-4

35.4 Bird attractants and attracted birds at RAAF Base Darwin 35-7


risk 35-12










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xxxi









37.3 Waterbodies within the vicinity of RAAF Base Darwin 37-5

37.4 Water quality within and surrounding RAAF Base Darwin between 2003 and 2011 37-7

37.5 Wetlands within the vicinity of RAAF Base Darwin 37-9


sulfur dioxide (SO2) at RAAF Base Darwin 37-12

37.7 Sensitivities of waterbodies for RAAF Base Darwin 37-13

37.8 Magnitude of potential impacts to waterbodies for RAAF Base Darwin 37-14

37.9 Significance of potential impacts to waterbodies at RAAF Base Darwin 37-15



38.3 Education facilities within 5 km of RAAF Base Darwin 38-9



environment 38-14




40.1 Existing aircraft movements to and from RAAF Base Amberley 40-2

40.2 Expected aircraft movements to and from RAAF Base Amberley 40-8

40.3 Air emissions inventory for current and proposed emissions at RAAF Base Amberley 40-11

41.1 Existing aircraft movements to and from RAAF Base Edinburgh 41-2

41.2 Expected aircraft movements to and from RAAF Base Edinburgh 41-7

41.3 Air emissions inventory for proposed emissions by F-35A aircraft at RAAF Base

Edinburgh 41-9

42.1 Existing aircraft movements to and from RAAF Base Pearce 42-3

42.2 Expected aircraft movements to and from RAAF Base Pearce 42-7

42.3 Air emissions inventory for proposed emissions by F-35A aircraft at RAAF Base

Pearce 42-10

43.1 Defence EMS management procedures 43-3

43.2 Monitoring and measurement program 43-8

43.3 Environmental responsibilities for the proposed flying operations of the

F-35A aircraft 43-10

Figures

1.1 Base and weapon range locations for the flying operations of the F-35A Lightning II 1-4

3.1 EPBC Act environmental assessment process 3-3

4.1 RAAF Base Williamtown potential runway option – extension (2A) 4-8

4.2 RAAF Base Williamtown potential runway option – translocation and extension (4) 4-9



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xxxii

4.3 RAAF Base Williamtown potential runway option – duplication 4-11

4.4 RAAF Base Williamtown potential runway option extension (2A) – land zoning 4-12

4.5 RAAF Base Williamtown potential runway option – extension (2A) – acid sulfate soils

risk mapping 4-14

4.6 RAAF Base Williamtown potential runway option – extension (2A) – flood prone land 4-15

4.7 RAAF Base Williamtown potential runway option – extension (2A) – groundwater

bores and aquifers 4-16

4.8 Groundwater aquifers of interest at RAAF Base Williamtown 4-17

4.9 RAAF Base Williamtown potential runway option – extension (2A) – adjacent

vegetation and habitat areas 4-18

4.10 RAAF Base Williamtown potential runway option – translocation and extension (4) –

groundwater bores and aquifers 4-20


land zoning 4-22


acid sulfate soils risk mapping 4-23


flood prone land 4-24


adjacent vegetation and habitat areas 4-25

4.15 RAAF Base Williamtown potential runway option – duplication – land zoning 4-27

4.16 RAAF Base Williamtown potential runway option – duplication – acid sulfate soils risk

mapping 4-29

4.17 RAAF Base Williamtown potential runway option – duplication – groundwater bores

and aquifers 4-30

4.18 RAAF Base Williamtown potential runway option – duplication – flood prone land 4-31

4.19 RAAF Base Williamtown potential runway option – duplication – adjacent vegetation

and habitat areas 4-32

4.20 RAAF Base Williamtown 2025 ANEC 25 – comparison of runway alternatives 4-33

4.21 RAAF Base Williamtown 2025 ANEC 20 – comparison of runway alternatives 4-34

5.1 Key events under the New Air Combat Capability Project 5-5

5.2 Typical arrival and departure profiles for F-35A aircraft and F/A-18A/B Hornet aircraft

at RAAF Base Williamtown 5-14


at RAAF Base Tindal 5-15


at RAAF Base Townsville 5-16


at RAAF Base Darwin 5-17

5.6 F-35A aircraft departure and arrival tracks for Runway 30 at RAAF Base Williamtown 5-19

5.7 F-35A aircraft departure tracks from Runway 12 at RAAF Base Williamtown

assuming a runway extended to 10,000 feet 5-20

5.8 F-35A aircraft arrival tracks to Runway 12 at RAAF Base Williamtown assuming a

runway extended to 10,000 feet 5-21

5.9 Touch and go tracks at RAAF Base Williamtown and SAAWR 5-22

5.10 F-35A aircraft departure and arrival tracks for Runway 14 at RAAF Base Tindal 5-23

5.11 F-35A aircraft departure and arrival tracks for Runway 32 at RAAF Base Tindal 5-24

5.12 F-35A aircraft touch and go tracks to Runway 14 and 32 at RAAF Base Tindal 5-25

5.13 F-35A aircraft departure and arrival tracks for Runway 01 at RAAF Base Townsville 5-27



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xxxiii

5.14 F-35A aircraft departure and arrival tracks for Runway 19 at RAAF Base Townsville 5-28

5.15 F-35A aircraft departure and arrival tracks for Runway 11 at RAAF Base Darwin 5-29

5.16 F-35A aircraft departure and arrival tracks for Runway 29 at RAAF Base Darwin 5-30

6.1 Stakeholder Grouping 6-4

6.2 F-35A Lightning II project website 6-8

8.1 RAAF Base Williamtown planning and land use study area 8-3

8.2 Planning zones within the study area at RAAF Base Williamtown and SAAWR 8-5

8.3 Heritage sites located within the study area at RAAF Base Williamtown and SAAWR 8-9

8.4 Proposed urban and employment growth areas surrounding RAAF Base Williamtown

and SAAWR 8-12

8.5 RAAF Base Williamtown and SAAWR ANEF noise contours before (2012 ANEF) and

after (2025 ANEF) the introduction of the F-35A aircraft 8-16

9.1 Noise assessment study area for proposed flying operations of the F-35A aircraft out

of RAAF Base Williamtown and SAAWR 9-5

9.2 Comparison of ANEC 20 with no mitigation and ANEC 20 with mitigation (60%

reduced engine thrust setting) at RAAF Base Williamtown 9-15


reduced engine thrust setting) at RAAF Base Williamtown 9-16

9.4 INM F-35A aircraft flight path and maximum noise levels – Departure from RAAF

Base Williamtown Runway 30 to eastern airspace 9-18

9.5 INM F-35A aircraft flight path and maximum noise levels – Departure from RAAF

Base Williamtown Runway 30 to the Hunter region 9-19

9.6 INM F-35A flight path and maximum noise levels – Departure from RAAF Base

Williamtown Runway 12 9-20

9.7 INM F-35A aircraft flight path and maximum noise levels – Straight in arrival to RAAF

Base Williamtown Runway 12 9-21

9.8 INM F-35A aircraft flight path and maximum noise levels – Initial and pitch arrival to

RAAF Base Williamtown Runway 12 9-22

9.9 INM F-35A aircraft flight path and maximum noise levels – Touch and go movement

from RAAF Base Williamtown Runway 30 9-23

9.10 INM F-35A aircraft flight path and maximum noise levels – Overflight of SAAWR 9-24

9.11 Predicted single event maximum noise levels for departures from RAAF Base

Williamtown Runway 30 to the eastern airspace 9-25


Williamtown Runway 30 to the western airspace 9-27


Williamtown Runway 12 to the eastern airspace 9-28

9.14 Predicted single event maximum noise levels for initial and pitch arrivals to RAAF

Base Williamtown Runway 12 9-29

9.15 Predicted single event maximum noise levels for straight in arrivals to RAAF Base

Williamtown Runway 12 9-30

9.16 Predicted single event maximum noise levels for overflights at SAAWR from RAAF

Base Williamtown 9-31

9.17 Predicted change in the occurrence of N70 rating events at RAAF Base Williamtown

and SAAWR 9-32

9.18 Predicted change in the occurrence of N85 rating events at RAAF Base Williamtown

and SAAWR 9-33

9.19 Noise level assessment locations for residential areas, education facilities and public

buildings around RAAF Base Williamtown and SAAWR 9-35



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xxxiv

9.20 Typical range of maximum noise levels at Cabbage Tree Road near RAAF Base

Williamtown 9-36

9.21 Typical range of maximum noise levels at Medowie West near RAAF Base

Williamtown 9-37

9.22 Typical range of maximum noise levels at Medowie East near RAAF Base

Williamtown 9-39

9.23 Typical range of maximum noise levels at Raymond Terrace South near RAAF Base

Williamtown 9-40

9.24 Typical range of maximum noise levels at the SAAWR South 9-41

9.25 Typical range of maximum noise levels at Tanilba Bay near RAAF Base Williamtown 9-42

9.26 Typical range of maximum noise levels at Fullerton Cove near RAAF Base

Williamtown 9-43

9.27 Typical range of maximum noise levels at Grahamstown Public School near RAAF

Base Williamtown 9-48

9.28 Typical range of maximum noise levels at Wirreanda Public School near RAAF Base

Williamtown 9-50

9.29 Typical range of maximum noise levels at Salt Ash Public School near RAAF Base

Williamtown 9-51

9.30 Typical range of maximum noise levels at RAAF Base Williamtown 9-55

9.31 Sound frequency and sound pressure of F/A-18A/B Hornet aircraft and F-35A aircraft

during departure at RAAF Base Williamtown 9-56

10.1 Representative sensitive receptor locations at RAAF Base Williamtown 10-2

11.1 RAAF Base Williamtown, SAAWR and surrounding area 11-5

12.1 Key environmental features of the study area around RAAF Base Williamtown and

SAAWR 12-5

12.2 Increases in 70 dB LAmax extent at sensitive biodiversity areas around RAAF Base




13.1 Catchments, waterbodies and water quality monitoring sites surrounding RAAF Base

Williamtown 13-3

14.1 Local government areas within the study area for RAAF Base Williamtown 14-4

16.1 RAAF Base Tindal planning and land use study area 16-2

16.2 Planning zones within the study area at RAAF Base Tindal 16-5

16.3 Future land use and industrial development areas within the study area at RAAF

Base Tindal 16-10

16.4 Comparison of 1997 ANEF and 2025 ANEC contours at RAAF Base Tindal 16-13

16.5 RAAF Base Tindal noise contours before (2008 ANEI) and after (2025 ANEC) the

introduction of the F-35A aircraft 16-14


of RAAF Base Tindal 17-6

17.2 RAAF Base Tindal noise level assessment locations 17-9


reduced engine thrust settings) at RAAF Base Tindal 17-17


reduced engine thrust settings) at RAAF Base Tindal 17-18

17.5 INM F-35A aircraft flight path and maximum noise levels – Noise mitigated departure

from RAAF Base Tindal Runway 32 over Katherine 17-20

17.6 INM F-35A aircraft flight path and maximum noise levels – Military departure from

RAAF Base Tindal Runway 32 over Katherine 17-21



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xxxv

17.7 INM F-35A aircraft flight path and maximum noise levels – Military departure from



Base Tindal Runway 14 over Katherine 17-24


RAAF Base Tindal Runway 14 over Uralla 17-25




Base Tindal Runway 32 17-27

17.12 INM F-35A aircraft flight path and maximum noise levels – Touch and go movement

from RAAF Base Tindal Runway 32 17-28


Base Tindal Runway 14 over Katherine 17-29

17.14 Predicted single event maximum noise levels for departures from RAAF Base Tindal

Runway 32 over Katherine 17-30

17.15 Predicted single event maximum noise levels for military thrust departures from


17.16 Predicted single event maximum noise levels for departures from RAAF Base Tindal

Runway 14 over Katherine 17-33


Tindal Runway 14 over Katherine 17-34


Base Tindal Runway 14 over Uralla 17-35


Tindal Runway 32 over the Cutta Cutta Caves Nature Park 17-36

17.20 Predicted single event maximum noise levels for touch and go movements on

Runway 14 over RAAF Base Tindal 17-37

17.21 Predicted change in N70 rating events at RAAF Base Tindal 17-39

17.22 Predicted change in N85 rating events at RAAF Base Tindal 17-40

17.23 Typical range of maximum noise levels at Tokmakoff near RAAF Base Tindal 17-41

17.24 Typical range of maximum noise levels at Gorge Road near RAAF Base Tindal 17-42

17.25 Typical range of maximum noise levels at Martin Terrace near RAAF Base Tindal 17-43

17.26 Typical range of maximum noise levels at Uralla near RAAF Base Tindal 17-44

17.27 Typical range of maximum noise levels at Lansdowne near RAAF Base Tindal 17-46

17.28 Typical range of maximum noise levels at Napier Road near RAAF Base Tindal 17-47

17.29 Typical range of maximum noise levels at the on-base child care areas, RAAF Base

Tindal 17-51

17.30 Typical range of maximum noise levels at the Katherine Tindal Airport civilian

terminal, RAAF Base Tindal 17-53

17.31 Typical range of maximum noise levels at the RAAF Air Movements Building, RAAF

Base Tindal 17-54

17.32 Typical range of maximum noise levels at Air Traffic Control, RAAF Base Tindal 17-55

17.33 Sound frequency and sound pressure of F/A-18A/B Hornet aircraft and F-35A aircraft

during departure at RAAF Base Tindal 17-57

18.1 Representative sensitive receptor locations at RAAF Base Tindal 18-2

19.1 RAAF Base Tindal and surrounding area 19-6

20.1 Key environmental features of the study area around RAAF Base Tindal 20-2


Tindal 20-9



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xxxvi


Tindal 20-10


Tindal 21-2

22.1 Local government areas within the study area for RAAF Base Tindal 22-4

24.1 RAAF Base Townsville planning and land use study area 24-2

24.2 Planning zones within the study area at RAAF Base Townsville 24-6

24.3 Heritage sites located within the study area at RAAF Base Townsville 24-10

24.4 RAAF Base Townsville noise contours before (2018 ANEF) and after (2030 ANEC)

the introduction of the F-35A aircraft 24-14

24.5 RAAF Base Townsville comparison of 2030 ANEF and 2030 ANEC contours 24-23


of RAAF Base Townsville 25-5

25.2 RAAF Base Townsville noise level assessment locations 25-9


Townsville Runway 01 to the west 25-17

25.4 Predicted single event maximum noise levels for afterburner departures from RAAF

Base Townsville Runway 01 to the west 25-18

25.5 Predicted single event maximum noise levels for departures from Runway 19 to the

west at RAAF Base Townsville 25-19


Townsville Runway 19 25-20


Base Townsville Runway 01 25-21


Townsville Runway 01 25-22

25.9 Predicted change in N70 rating events at RAAF Base Townsville 25-24

25.10 Predicted change in N85 rating events at RAAF Base Townsville 25-25

25.11 Typical range of maximum noise levels at sensitive receptors at RAAF Base

Townsville 25-26

25.12 Location of non-residential sensitive land use areas near RAAF Base Townsville 25-29

26.1 Representative sensitive receptor locations near RAAF Base Townsville 26-2

27.1 RAAF Base Townsville and surrounding area 27-6

28.1 Key environmental features of the study area around RAAF Base Townsville 28-2


Townsville 28-10


Townsville 28-11


Townsville 29-2

30.1 Local government areas within the study area for RAAF Base Townsville 30-4

32.1 RAAF Base Darwin planning and land use study area 32-2

32.2 Planning zones within the study area at RAAF Base Darwin 32-5

32.3 Heritage sites located within the study area at RAAF Base Darwin 32-9

33.1 Noise assessment study area for proposed flying operations of the F-35A aircraft at

RAAF Base Darwin 33-5

33.2 RAAF Base Darwin residential noise level assessment locations 33-9

33.3 Location of non-residential sensitive land use areas near RAAF Base Darwin 33-10



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xxxvii

33.4 Predicted single event maximum noise levels for departures from RAAF Base Darwin

Runway 11 to the west 33-18


Runway 29 to the south 33-19

33.6 Predicted single event maximum noise levels for military departures from RAAF Base

Darwin Runway 29 to the south 33-20


Runway 29 to the north 33-21

33.8 Predicted single event maximum noise levels for instrument landing systems

approaches to RAAF Base Darwin Runway 29 33-22

33.9 Predicted single event maximum noise levels for initial and pitch approaches to

RAAF Base Darwin Runway 29 33-23

33.10 Predicted single event maximum noise levels for initial and pitch approaches to

RAAF Base Darwin Runway 11 33-25

33.11 Predicted change in N70 rating events from RAAF Base Darwin Runway 11 to the

west 33-26

33.12 Predicted change in the number of N85 rating events from RAAF Base Darwin

Runway 11 to the west 33-27


east 33-28


east 33-29

33.15 Typical range of maximum noise levels at Bagot near RAAF Base Darwin 33-31

33.16 Typical range of maximum noise levels at residences around Darwin Golf Course

near RAAF Base Darwin 33-32

34.1 Representative sensitive receptor locations near RAAF Base Darwin 34-2

35.1 RAAF Base Darwin and surrounding area 35-6

36.1 Key environmental features around RAAF Base Darwin 36-2


Darwin 36-11


Darwin 36-12


Darwin 37-2

38.1 Local government areas within the study area for RAAF Base Darwin 38-4

40.1 Study area for proposed flying operations of the F-35A aircraft at RAAF Base

Amberley 40-3

41.1 Study area for proposed flying operations of the F-35A aircraft at RAAF Base

Edinburgh 41-3

42.1 Study area for proposed flying operations of the F-35A aircraft at RAAF Base Pearce 42-2

Plates

1.1 F-35A aircraft profile during flying operations 1-2

1.2 Conventional take-off and landing F 35A aircraft variant 1-2

2.1 A No. 3 Squadron F/A-18 Hornet touches down at RAAF Base East Sale 2-4

2.2 A RAAF F/A-18A Hornet operated by No. 75 Squadron takes off from Andersen Air

Force Base during Exercise Cope North 14 2-4



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xxxviii

2.3 A RAAF F/A-18A Hornet operated by No. 75 Squadron takes off from Andersen Air

Force Base during Exercise Cope North 14 2-4

2.4 F-35A aircraft taxiing 2-5

2.5 F-35A aircraft in flight 2-5

5.1 F/A-18A/B Hornet aircraft during flying operations 5-2

5.2 F-35A aircraft during flying operations showing profile 5-2

5.3 F-35A aircraft during flying operations 5-2

Box

11.1 Likelihood calculation 11-3




Appendices

A EIS Guidelines and EIS Guidelines Cross-reference Table

B Study Team

C Published Factsheets and Public Notices

D Stakeholder Consultation Meeting Notes

E Planning and Land Use Assessment

F Noise Impact Assessment

G Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Impact Assessment

H Aviation Risk Assessment

I Ecological Assessment

J Water Quality Impact Assessment

K Socio-economic and Rapid Health Impact Assessment

L Environmental Management Plans

M Management and Mitigation Measures



Volume 7: Environmental Management Framework

Coffey 1446_6_Vol7_v5

43-1

43. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK

43.1 Introduction

This chapter outlines the environmental management framework (EMF) that will be applied to the

proposed flying operations of the F-35A aircraft.

43.2 Legislative Context and Standards

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) is the key piece

of environmental legislation which provides a legal framework to protect and manage matters of

environmental significance. Where applicable, this may require the Royal Australian Air Force

(RAAF) to conduct its activities in a particular way to ensure they are undertaken in an

environmentally responsible manner. Other Commonwealth legislation that mandate protection of

the environment and may be relevant to the proposed flying operations of the F-35A aircraft

includes:

• Airports Act 1996.

• Airports (Environment Protection) Regulation 1997.

• Airspace Act 2007.

• Civil Aviation Act 1988.

Other Commonwealth policies and guidelines that may be relevant to the environmental

management of the proposed flying operations of the F-35A aircraft include:

• Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (2000).

• Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (2011).

• Australian Standard AS 2021-2000 Acoustics-Aircraft Noise Intrusion-Building Siting and

Construction (AS 2021).

• National Aviation White Paper Policy 2009.

• National Airport Safeguarding Framework.

• National Environmental Protection Measure for Ambient Air Quality (NEPM (Ambient Air

Quality)).

• National Environment Protection (Air Toxics) Measure (NEPM (Air Toxics)).

The proposed flying operations of the F-35A aircraft will be conducted by a Commonwealth

agency on Commonwealth land and in national airspace and are therefore not subject directly to

State or Territory or local environmental controls. Through its Fly Neighbourly Policy, Defence

aims to comply with State, Territory and local government legislation and policies to the extent

that these do not conflict with Commonwealth legislative obligations or compromise operational

objectives or capability.

Further detail on Legislative Framework and Assessment Requirements is provided in Chapter 3.





43-2

43.3 Environmental Management System

Defence operates under an environmental management system (EMS) that provides for the

systematic management of potential and existing environmental risks as a part of everyday

operations. The Defence EMS is based on ISO 14001 and consists of the following key elements:

• Environmental policy.

• Environmental risk identification.

• Environmental risk management.

The RAAF has developed an Aircraft Operations Environmental Management Plan (EMP), as a

component of the Defence EMS which provides up to date environmental procedures for the

flying operations of RAAF aircraft. These procedures have been used to guide the development of

this EMF for the proposed flying operations of the F-35A aircraft.

43.3.1 Environmental Policy

Defence’s environmental policy governs the development and implementation of the Defence

EMS. A key commitment by Defence is to achieve environmental best practice and be a leader in

sustainable environmental management. The Defence environmental policy is implemented

through the Defence Environmental Strategic Plan 2010 – 2014. Defence has set six

environmental policy objectives, comprising:

• Objective 1. To implement innovative best practice approaches to environmental management

that achieve Defence and stakeholder requirements.

• Objective 2. To integrate sustainable environmental management, including resource

efficiency and pollution prevention, into Defence activities, business processes and decisions.

• Objective 3. To establish clear lines of accountability for environmental outcomes.

• Objective 4. To raise the environmental awareness of Defence personnel through education,

training and ready access to information.

• Objective 5. To measure and report environmental performance as part of a process of

continual improvement.

• Objective 6. To maintain transparency in decision-making and establish strategic partnerships

with key environmental stakeholders.

The Defence Support Reform Group has lead responsibility for the provision of Defence

environmental policy, however all Defence personnel are required to comply with and adhere to

the objectives outlined in Defence’s environmental policy. This includes the proposed flying

operations of the F-35A aircraft. Defence aims to conduct its operations in an environmentally

sustainable manner while preserving the capacity to undertake activities necessary to support

Defence capability.

43.3.2 Management Procedures

In order to meet the commitments set out in the environmental policy, Defence has developed a

set of management procedures which promote a systematic approach to environmental

management and support continual improvement in environmental performance. The existing

management procedures have been refined to be implemented as part of this EMF for the

proposed flying operations of the F-35A aircraft. Management procedures derived from the





43-3

Defence EMS and refined for the proposed flying operations of the F-35A aircraft are detailed in

Table 43.1.

Table 43.1 Defence EMS management procedures

Element Procedure Purpose

Planning Environmental aspects and impacts

Identify environmental aspects and impacts related to the proposed flying operations of the F-35A aircraft.

Legal and other requirements

Identify all legal and other requirements that relate to the proposed flying operations of the F-35A aircraft and how they apply to the environmental aspects and impacts.

Objectives, targets and programs

Establish, implement and maintain environmental objectives and targets, consistent with Defence capability requirements, through the use of environmental management plans.

Implementation and operation

Resource, roles, responsibility and authority

Management are to ensure resources essential for the establishment, implementation, maintenance and improvement of the EMS are available.

Competence, training and awareness

Ensure anyone performing a task that can have a potential impact on the environment is competent to perform that task. Provide training based on needs associated with EMS.

Communication Ensure a consistent approach is taken to internal and external communication and to guide what information is communicated externally.

Documentation and control of documents

Ensure key elements of the EMS are documented and specify how documents are controlled.

Operational control Ensure best practice environmental management measures are incorporated into applicable tactical doctrine and publications, policies, operating procedures, standing instructions to control activities associated with potential significant environmental impacts.

Emergency preparedness and response

Ensure potential emergency situations are identified and measures put in place to mitigate or minimise associated adverse environmental, social or safety impacts.

Checking Monitoring and measurement

Ensure measures are put in place to monitor key characteristics of activities that may have a significant environmental impact. Ensure all incidents are promptly reported where they do occur.

Evaluation of compliance

Ensure a systematic review of compliance with legal requirements takes place on a regular basis.

Non-conformity, corrective action and preventative action

Ensure non-conformities are identified, investigated, reported and corrective and preventative actions implemented.

Control or records Ensure records are kept and maintained as required by ISO 14001 and Commonwealth record keeping requirements.

Internal audits Ensure internal audits of the EMS are conducted at planned intervals and results reported to management.

Management review

Management review Ensure top management review the suitability, adequacy and effectiveness of the EMS at planned intervals.





43-4

43.3.3 Hazard Identification and Environmental Risk Assessment

Hazard identification and environmental risk management under the Defence EMS involves

applying a systematic process to establish the context of any risks, and identify, analyse,

evaluate, treat and monitor risks to reduce the likelihood of their occurrence or reduce the

consequences to acceptable or manageable levels (Department of Defence, 2013c). Defence

employs several tools in the identification and assessment of hazards and environmental risk

associated with the introduction of new capability or infrastructure, or for activities or exercises

undertaken at sites or training areas (Department of Defence, 2013c). Those relevant to the

proposed flying operations of the F-35A aircraft include the environmental risk tool. This tool

assesses the likelihood and consequences of environmental risks and impacts across seven

dimensions:

• Capability.

• Environmental and heritage.

• Compliance.

• Occupational health and safety.

• Financial efficiency.

• Personnel.

• Reputation.

Aircraft accidents and incidents are also managed through safety procedures, which reduce

environmental risks. The Defence Aviation Safety Program provides a framework for making

judgements on acceptable level of risk in the context of capability and acknowledges that

operational outcomes must be weighed against the potential for harm to people and/or property.

As a part of the Defence Aviation Safety Program, the Defence Aviation Safety Manual (DASM)

provides policy on occupational health and safety associated with flying operations and hazard

reporting and investigation of aviation safety occurrences. Aviation safety occurrences are

considered as any occurrence which adversely affects the safety or airworthiness of an aviation

system or third party and must be reported and investigated in accordance with the DASM. An

Aviation Safety Occurrence Report is submitted whenever an aviation safety occurrence involves,

but is not limited to, any of the following:

• Death or serious injury to any person.

• Loss of an aircraft, or an aircraft being missing or inaccessible.

• Damage to or structural failure of an aircraft which adversely affects the structural strength,

performance or flying characteristics of the aircraft.

• Inadvertent release of aircraft stores that subsequently damaged, or may have damaged,

private property.

• Take-off, landing or taxiing incident that results in significant damage to the aircraft or ground

equipment.

• Explosion on or in any part of the aircraft.

• Engine fire.

• Undershooting, over-running or running off the side of a runway during take-off or landing.

• Bird strike or other wildlife strike.





43-5

• Unplanned external stores release.

Lessons learned from reporting and investigation of aviation safety occurrences are used to

improve emergency response and minimise environmental risk and impact. Responsibilities for

the reporting of safety occurrences, as detailed in the DASM, are determined by the type of

hazard or safety occurrence.

Hazard Reporting

Any member who becomes aware of a hazard to Defence aviation, regardless of rank,

trade/mustering/category or specialisation should report the hazard in accordance with the policy

and guidance in the DASM. Safety reports are handled by Unit Commanders and executive staff.

Incident or Event Reporting

Any person witnessing an incident or event should bring it to the notice of the commander of the

operating unit, the commander’s safety staff, or, in lieu, the parent command of the aircraft or

personnel. The witness will usually, but not always, be the RAAF pilot involved in the occurrence,

a member of a maintenance crew, or an air traffic control officer. All incidents (including

emergency dumping of fuel) should be reported in compliance with the relevant RAAF reporting

mechanism.

43.3.4 Environmental Objectives

Environmental objectives have been established to guide the development or maintenance of

management measures of environmental impacts related to the proposed flying operations of the

F-35A aircraft. The environmental objectives are detailed below.

Planning and Land Use Objectives

The objective for managing environmental risk and potential environmental impacts relating to a

forecast change in land use as a result of the proposed flying operations of the F-35A aircraft is:

• Minimise changes to land use and development that may be influenced by forecast changes in

Australian Noise Exposure contours.

Noise Objectives

The objective for managing environmental risk and potential environmental impacts relating to

noise as a result of the proposed flying operations of the F-35A aircraft is:

• Minimise noise disturbance at sensitive receptors.

Air Quality Objectives

The objectives for managing environmental risk and potential environmental impacts relating to air

quality as a result of the proposed flying operations of the F-35A aircraft are:

• Minimise greenhouse gas emissions.

• Maintain amenity of the local airshed.

• Avoid impacts on respiratory health.

Aircraft Hazard and Risk Objectives

The objectives for managing environmental risk and potential environmental impacts relating to

aircraft hazard and risk as a result of the proposed flying operations of the F-35A aircraft are:

• Avoid personal death or injury.

• Avoid contamination of waterbodies.





43-6

• Avoid damage to flora caused by bushfire.

• Avoid damage to building structures or vehicles.

• Minimise lost operating time.

• Minimise damage to aircraft.

• Minimise disruption of base operations.

Biodiversity Objectives


biodiversity as a result of the proposed flying operations of the F-35A aircraft are:

• Minimise disturbance to fauna.

• Minimise impairment to habitat condition.

• Minimise fauna injury and mortality from bird strike.

Water Quality Objectives


water quality as a result of the proposed flying operations of the F-35A aircraft are:

• Avoid contamination of waterbodies.

• Maintain amenity of waterbodies.

Socio-economic Objectives

The objectives for managing socio-economic risk and potential socio-economic impacts as a

result of the proposed flying operations of the F-35A aircraft are:

• Minimise changes in land capability.

• Maintain amenity of public services.

43.3.5 Environmental Management Plans

Defence has existing EMPs that address issues and impacts associated with operations

undertaken at RAAF Bases. The management measures in the existing EMPs, relating to wildlife

management, were sufficient to address the potential impacts associated with the proposed flying

operations of the F-35A aircraft and no update to these management plans are proposed. Those

relevant to the flying operations of the F-35A aircraft include:

• RAAF Base Williamtown Bird and Wildlife Operational Management Plan (Avisure, 2009).

• RAAF Base Tindal Wallaby and Wildlife Management Plan (HLA Envirosciences, 2007).

• RAAF Base Tindal Flying Fox Management Plan (Defence, 2012).

• Townsville Airport Wildlife Hazard Management Plan (Townsville Airport, 2013).

• Darwin Airport Bird and Animal Hazard Management System (Darwin International Airport,

2011).

• RAAF Aircraft Operations Environmental Management Plan (URS, 2008).

The Townsville Airport Wildlife Hazard Management Plan and Darwin Airport Bird and Animal

Hazard Management System were prepared by Townsville Airport Pty Ltd and Darwin

International Airport, respectively. Under the joint user agreements, these management plans are

developed for use by both Defence and civil operators at the airfields.





43-7

EMPs developed for the noise, and air quality aspects of the proposed flying operations of the

F-35A aircraft map out necessary steps required for Defence to meet their environmental

objectives. The EMPs will detail the management measures, specific monitoring activities,

designated responsibilities and timelines for when specific tasks are to be completed and

reported. The plans will be dynamic documents that will continue to be reviewed for relevancy and

adequacy. As part of the review process, audits will be carried out to provide a source of

objectivity and scrutiny. The following draft EMPs were developed as part of the EIS and are

provided in Appendix L:

• Draft F-35A Aircraft Noise Management Plan RAAF Base Williamtown.

• Draft F-35A Aircraft Noise Management Plan RAAF Base Tindal.

• Draft F-35A Aircraft Air Quality Management Plan RAAF Base Williamtown.

A summary of existing and proposed mitigation measures that Defence will implement in the

management of impacts from the proposed flying operations of the F-35A aircraft are provided in

Appendix M.

43.3.6 Monitoring and Reporting

An environmental monitoring and measurement program will be established for the main

operating bases (MOBs) (RAAF Base Williamtown and RAAF Base Tindal) and two forward

operating bases (FOBs) (RAAF Base Darwin and RAAF Base Townsville) to ensure:

• Objectives and performance criteria of the proposed flying operations of the F-35A aircraft are

being met.

• Legal compliance of the proposed flying operations of the F-35A aircraft is adhered to.

• Early warning signs of potential issues associated with the proposed flying operations of the

F-35A aircraft are detected and corrective actions are put in place.

• Mitigation measures for the potential impacts of the proposed flying operations of the F-35A

aircraft are managing the environmental risks effectively.

• Validation of the predicted impacts used in the EIS assessment of the proposed flying

operations of the F-35A aircraft.

The base specific program will detail monitoring requirements for the various potential impacts,

including the parameter to be measured, the frequency of measurement, the method of

measurement and the performance criteria. Table 43.2 provides an overview of the monitoring

activities.

Environm

enta

l Im

pact S

tate

ment

Fly

ing O

pera

tio

ns o

f th

e F

-35A

Lig

htn

ing II

Volu

me 7

: E

nvironm

enta

l M

anagem

ent F

ram

ew

ork

Coff

ey

1446_6_V

ol7

_v5

43-8

Tab

le 4

3.2

M

on

ito

rin

g a

nd

measu

rem

en

t p

rog

ram

En

vir

on

me

nta

l

as

pe

ct

Pa

ram

ete

r

me

as

ure

d/m

on

ito

red

Rele

va

nt

ba

se

Me

tho

d

Fre

qu

en

cy

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rati

on

P

erf

orm

an

ce

me

as

ure

Pe

rfo

rma

nc

e c

rite

ria

Nois

e

Days a

nd

ho

urs

of

op

era

tio

n.

Flig

ht

pa

ths th

at h

ave

b

ee

n u

sed

.

Ave

rag

e 2

4 h

ou

r L

Ae

q.

Qu

art

erl

y a

ve

rage

LA

eq.

LA

ma

x (

low

, h

igh

and

a

ve

rag

e)

for

de

pa

rtu

res,

arr

ivals

a

nd

cir

cu

its.

RA

AF

Ba

se

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iam

tow

n.

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e a

nd

flig

ht

pa

th

mo

nito

rin

g

syste

m.

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go

ing.

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go

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or

a

min

imum

of 3

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ars

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win

g

intr

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pa

th

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rep

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s.

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dic

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to s

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pto

rs

ha

ve

be

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ve

rifie

d.

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ois

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t

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pto

rs in

re

spo

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to c

om

pla

ints

.

RA

AF

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se

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iam

tow

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AF

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se

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da

l.

RA

AF

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se

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wn

svill

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AF

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se

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in.

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an

aly

tica

l

techn

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llow

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a

co

mp

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ce

off.

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mp

lain

ts r

eg

iste

r.

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un

reso

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d

co

mp

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t.

Air

qu

alit

y

NO

x a

nd

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2.

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AF

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se

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iam

tow

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RA

AF

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se

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da

l.

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ble

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aly

tica

l

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ry s

ix

mo

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imu

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mo

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mo

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ep

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x a

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2 d

o n

ot

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ed

gu

ide

lines.

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r qu

alit

y

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rfa

ce

wa

ter

qu

alit

y.

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ram

ete

rs to

be

de

term

ined

based

on

air

em

issio

ns.

RA

AF

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se

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iam

tow

n.

RA

AF

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se

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da

l.

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ita

ble

an

aly

tica

l

techn

ique

s.

Fo

llow

ing

an

incre

ase in

air

em

issio

ns

rep

ort

ed

att

ribu

table

to

F-3

5A

air

cra

ft

flyin

g

op

era

tio

ns.

Min

imu

m o

f th

ree

sa

mp

ling

eve

nts

.

Wate

r qu

alit

y

mo

nito

rin

g r

ep

ort

.

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inte

na

nce

of

em

erg

en

cy fu

el

du

mpin

g r

eco

rds.

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mb

er

of

incid

en

ts

rep

ort

ing

sp

ills.

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nta

min

an

ts o

f co

nce

rn

do

no

t e

xce

ed

rele

va

nt

wa

ter

qu

alit

y g

uid

elin

es.

Environm

enta

l Im

pact S

tate

ment

Fly

ing O

pera

tio

ns o

f th

e F

-35A

Lig

htn

ing II

Volu

me 7

: E

nvironm

enta

l M

anagem

ent F

ram

ew

ork

Coff

ey

1446_6_V

ol7

_v5

43-9

Tab

le 4

3.2

M

on

ito

rin

g a

nd

measu

rem

en

t p

rog

ram

(co

nt’

d)

En

vir

on

me

nta

l

as

pe

ct

Pa

ram

ete

r

me

as

ure

d/m

on

ito

red

Rele

va

nt

ba

se

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tho

d

Fre

qu

en

cy

Du

rati

on

P

erf

orm

an

ce

me

as

ure

Pe

rfo

rma

nc

e c

rite

ria

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r qu

alit

y

(co

nt’d

)

Rain

wa

ter

tank w

ate

r

qu

alit

y.

Pa

ram

ete

rs to

be

de

term

ined

based

on

air

em

issio

ns.

RA

AF

Ba

se

Will

iam

tow

n.

RA

AF

Ba

se

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da

l.

Su

ita

ble

an

aly

tica

l

techn

ique

s.

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llow

ing

an

incre

ase in

air

em

issio

ns

rep

ort

ed

att

ribu

table

to

F-3

5A

air

cra

ft

flyin

g

op

era

tio

ns.

Fo

llow

ing

a

co

mp

lain

t.

Min

imu

m o

f th

ree

sa

mp

ling

eve

nts

.

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n r

ece

ipt

of

co

mp

lain

t.

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r qu

alit

y

rep

ort

.

Co

mp

lain

ts

reg

iste

r.

Co

nta

min

an

ts o

f co

nce

rn

do

no

t e

xce

ed

drin

kin

g

wa

ter

gu

idelin

es.

No

un

reso

lve

d c

om

pla

ints

.

Bio

div

ers

ity

Bir

d s

trik

e m

on

ito

ring

. R

AA

F B

ase

Will

iam

tow

n.

RA

AF

Ba

se

Tin

da

l.

RA

AF

Ba

se

To

wn

svill

e.

RA

AF

Ba

se

Darw

in.

Vis

ual

inspe

ctio

n.

Rep

ort

ing

.

Fo

llow

ing

str

ike

. O

ng

oin

g.

Re

co

rd o

f bir

d

str

ike

in

cid

en

ts

rep

ort

ed

.

Re

du

ced

num

be

r o

f b

ird

str

ike

in

cid

en

ts c

ausin

g

air

cra

ft d

am

ag

e.

B

ird

and

fau

na

co

un

ts.

Vis

ual

inspe

ctio

n.

Weekly

at

da

wn

an

d d

usk.

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go

ing.

Re

co

rds o

f b

ird

an

d f

au

na

cou

nts

.

No

sig

nific

an

t lo

ng

-te

rm

incre

ase in

fa

una

po

pu

latio

n n

um

be

rs in

ha

bita

t su

rro

un

din

g b

ases.

In

spe

ctio

n o

f a

irfield

bir

d a

nd

oth

er

fau

na

att

racta

nts

.

Vis

ual

inspe

ctio

n.

Se

ason

ally

. O

ng

oin

g.

Re

co

rds o

f

inspe

ctio

n a

nd

ma

nag

em

en

t o

r

ma

inte

nan

ce

activitie

s.

Ma

na

ge

me

nt m

easu

res

imp

lem

en

ted

to

re

duce

fee

din

g,

roo

stin

g a

nd

ne

stin

g h

ab

ita

t in

vic

inity o

f

run

wa

ys.

Environmental Impact Statement Flying Operations of the F-35A Lightning II



43-10

43.3.7 Roles and Responsibilities Defence is responsible for the ongoing environmental management of the proposed flying operations of the F-35A aircraft. Although titular responsibility for environmental advice to the RAAF resides with the RAAF Environment Officer, in effect a number of other organisations assist with this task, including (URS, 2008):

(a) Exercise planning staff within the Air Operations Centre (AOC) of Headquarters Joint Operations Command (HJOC), who are responsible for managing environmental risks when planning exercise activities.

(b) Various equipment acquisition project offices within the Defence Materiel Organisation responsible for specifying environmental compliance and assessment requirements for new aircraft and other aerospace equipment.

(c) Staff within Defence Support Reform Group, specifically those in the Environment and Engineering Branch, and Regional Environment Staff.

All RAAF personnel engaged with the planning and conduct of aviation activities have a responsibility to ensure that the planning and conduct of aircraft operations is undertaken with due regard for the environmental performance, compliance obligations and community expectations. Specific responsibility resides with those who initiate, plan and brief flying activities. The implementation of the EMF for the flying operations of the F-35A aircraft is dependent upon ownership by all squadron personnel particularly RAAF pilots. If the EIS for the proposed flying operations of the F-35A aircraft is approved, it is likely that approval conditions and commitments will be set by the Department of the Environment for compliance by Defence. Key Defence personnel have specific environmental responsibilities in relation to the management of environmental and social issues during the proposed flying operations of the F-35A aircraft, as shown in Table 43.3.

Table 43.3 Environmental responsibilities for the proposed flying operations of the F-35A aircraft

Position title Environmental responsibilities Base Support Manager • Implement Defence’s environment policy.

• Ensure responsibilities are adequately resourced. • Provide support to RAAF for on-ground measures such as

noise and flight path monitoring system and air quality measuring.

Directorate of Environmental Protection and Assessments

• Monitor and report Defence compliance with EPBC Act commitments and approval conditions to the Department of the Environment.

Senior Environmental Manager/ Regional Environment Officer

• Identification of all environmental legislative requirements and changes, and maintain obligations register.

• Liaison with government regulatory authorities at a senior level regarding proposed updates of the EMF.

• Monitor compliance with the EMF and ensure the Base Manager is informed of non-conformances.

• Report non-compliance to regulatory authorities in accordance with legislative requirements.

• Ensure environmental conditions in the EMF are reflected in the emergency response action plan.

Environmental Impact Statement Flying Operations of the F-35A Lightning II



43-11

Table 43.3 Environmental responsibilities for the proposed flying operations of the F-35A aircraft (cont’d)

Position title Environmental responsibilities Senior Environmental Manager/ Regional Environment Officer (cont’d)

• Carry out and/or coordinate environmental audits including the compliance of proposed flying operations of the F-35A aircraft to regulatory requirements with regards to environmental performance.

• Induct all new personnel in environmental aspects and issues relating to the project.

RAAF Pilots • Participate in environmental training and emergency response exercises.

• Participate in emergency exercises and environmental risk assessments.

• Adopt noise mitigation strategies where operational and flight safety circumstances allow.

Community Engagement Officer – RAAF Base Williamtown

• Liaise with land management groups, community representatives, local state and regulatory authorities on environmental issues (e.g. water quality, noise), as required for the proposed flying operations of the F-35A aircraft.

43.3.8 Emergency Preparedness and Response Emergency preparedness and response procedures, including command and control procedures, in response to aircraft accidents and incidents are currently implemented by Defence through the DASM. The DASM provides policy on occupational health and safety associated with flying operations and the reporting and investigation of safety occurrences. Under the DASM, each base, independent unit or detachment that conducts flying operations is required to issue an airfield emergency plan (AEP). The AEP provides guidance for RAAF interaction with civil agencies involved in emergency response and establishes the role of RAAF in community emergencies such as aircraft accidents, industrial or natural disasters. These procedures address personnel and public safety as well as accident investigation, liaison with civil authorities and site clean-up procedures. The currency of the AEP is reviewed and monitored by the base aviation safety officer (BASO). All RAAF Base units are required to have supporting emergency response plans that are coordinated with the BASO. Periodic training in support of aircraft emergency response is conducted on a monthly, semi-annual and annual basis by the BASO. The existing procedures are sufficient and applicable to the proposed flying operations of the F-35A aircraft and no update will be required.

43.3.9 Environmental Auditing and Reporting Auditing the EMF of the flying operations of the F-35A aircraft and subsequent reporting to base management is an integral component of the EMF and the environmental performance of the proposed flying operations of the F-35A aircraft. The process of auditing and reporting allows for:

• Early detection of potential issues with the system.

• Internal audit by Directorate of Environmental Protection and Assessments for compliance with approval conditions.

• Implementation of corrective actions before the issue becomes significant or irreversible.

• Continual environmental performance improvement.





43-12

• Continual environmental performance improvement.

• Variations in proposed F-35A aircraft flying operations approved by the appropriate authority.

• Confirmation that the system reflects operational practices.

• Measurement of progress towards objectives and targets.

• Reassessment of objectives and targets.

• Changes in Defence policy that may affect the EMF.

• Timely review of EMF relevance with business objectives.

• Compliance status with legal and other requirements and organisational commitments.

• Consideration of actions taken to correct or remedy non-compliances and their status.

• Verification of the effectiveness of corrective actions.

An EMF audit schedule will be developed for each year in the first quarter of the year. Audits will

target every element of the EMF over the course of a defined period of time (e.g. 12 months or

24 months). Areas of high environmental risk will be given priority in the audit schedule and may

be audited more regularly.

The Senior Environmental Manager/Regional Environment Officer will report the results of the

EMF audits every 6 to 12 months as part of a formal management review process of the EMF (as

a minimum) or sooner if deemed necessary. The Directorate of Environmental Protection and

Assessments will report any non-compliance to the Department of the Environment.

An external compliance audit may be conducted to ensure statutory compliance with any

requirements that may be set by the Department of the Environment.

43.3.10 Record Control

Record keeping obligations imposed upon Defence are extensive and include requirements to

create, maintain and dispose of Commonwealth records in a correct manner. The management of

baseline environmental data and environmental monitoring data for the flying operations of the

F-35A aircraft will be in accordance with Defence’s record keeping policy and any approval

requirements from the Department of the Environment. Records subject to control from the flying

operations of the F-35A aircraft include:

• Specialist environmental and social reports.

• Observational inspections and checks.

• Non-conformance reports.

• Performance indicator measurements.

• Legal compliance checks.

• Relevant licences and approvals.

• Records of correspondence relating to the environmental performance of the proposed flying

operations of the F-35A aircraft (e.g. emails, letters and phone conversations).

• Complaints handling reports.





43-13

Records that are no longer needed to be readily available at the MOBS or FOBs will be archived

in a secure and safe location for future access if necessary. An archive register will be

maintained. Where practicable, records will also be kept electronically as per the Defence record

keeping policy.

43.4 Stakeholder Engagement

A stakeholder engagement program has been developed and is included in Chapter 6.

Stakeholder engagement for the proposed flying operations of the F-35A aircraft commenced

during the voluntary public environment report process in late 2009 and early 2010. The

objectives of the stakeholder engagement program are:

• Identify stakeholders for the MOBs, FOBs and other bases and their level of interest in the

proposed flying operations of the F-35A aircraft.

• Outline the method to identify and mitigate socio-economic impacts of the proposed flying

operations of the F-35A aircraft and identify stakeholders for engagement.

• Provide frequent and appropriate opportunities for stakeholder engagement throughout the

EIS process and the introduction of the proposed flying operations of the F-35A aircraft.

• Ensure that stakeholders are well informed and able to make decisions about the proposed

flying operations of the F-35A aircraft.

• Ensure factually accurate information regarding the proposed flying operations of the F-35A

aircraft is accessible and clear to stakeholders.

• Develop a mechanism to record all stakeholder engagement activities and issues associated

with flying operations of the F-35A aircraft.

• Ensure the engagement process covers all issues of concern to local community and interest

groups regarding noise from the proposed flying operations of the F-35A aircraft, from planning

through to operations at all identified MOBs, FOBs and other bases.

• Ensure that issues raised by stakeholders are recorded, actioned and closed out, and reported

back to the stakeholder in a timely fashion in accordance with Defence policy.

A range of consultation and communication methods have been employed by Defence to engage

and inform stakeholders. Stakeholder engagement activities were tailored to meet the needs of

each stakeholder group. Stakeholder engagement activities for the MOBs, FOBs and other bases

for the proposed flying operations of the F-35A aircraft include:

• Regulator briefings.

• Stakeholder engagement sessions.

• Free-call, post and email.

• Fact sheets.

• Public notices.

• Website.

• Reporting and feedback management.





43-14

43.5 Addressing Complaints

A complaints procedure is already employed for the flying operations of the F/A-18A/B Hornet

aircraft. This procedure provides stakeholders the opportunity to communicate their grievances in

relation to the flying operations of the F/A-18A/B Hornet aircraft and will be continued for the

proposed flying operations of the F-35A aircraft. The procedure will:

• Identify a central point of contact for every MOB, FOB and base associated with the flying

operations of the F-35A aircraft for complaints to be made.

• Give priority to complaints considered high risk.

• Set defined timelines for when actions will be taken and formal responses will be provided to

the stakeholder.

• Provide a mechanism for the complainant to request independent review of the complaint

handling by an ombudsman.

A register will be developed to log and track the progress of complaints and responses made.

This register will be reviewed at predetermined intervals to ensure issues are addressed and

closed out in a timely and effective manner.

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