Our Services
Airspace and Construction
Our Service
Airspace surrounding an airport is protected from obstacles to ensure the safety, regularity and efficiency of aircraft operations is not adversely impacted. Any activity that infringes an airport’s protected airspace, for example a building or crane, is referred to in the relevant regulations as a controlled activity and requires approval before it can be carried out.
Avlaw Aviation Consulting provides detailed assessments of the aeronautical impacts associated with proposed development activities to ensure all salient issues are considered from the perspective of all stakeholders involved, including airport operators, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, Airservices Australia and emergency helicopter service operators.
In addition to assessing the impacts of the heights of buildings and cranes on aviation activities, Avlaw also possesses the expertise to (when necessary) assess proposed development against other standards and guidelines relating to other hazards to aviation safety. These include wildlife attractions, noise, lighting, emissions, windshear and turbulence, public safety areas and aviation facilities such as communications, navigation and surveillance equipment.
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How we operate
After each initial development briefing consultation, Avlaw Aviation Consulting develops methodologies specific to the regulatory requirements relevant to each stage of the planning process. This can range from initial site feasibility or due diligence exercises, to planning proposals through to DA/SSDA submissions.
Airspace and Construction
A leading Advisor to the Construction Industry
Avlaw Aviation Consulting has assisted Australia’s biggest and most reputable property developers, architects and town planners on some of the most significant built structures in Australia. We have made a conscious effort in educating the construction industry on the importance of considering the impacts of their activities on aviation safety through various memberships on industry associations, presentations and property events as well as interviews and article contributions to major publications.
Our Projects
Altis Property Partners (now Barings)
Aeronautical Impact Assessment – High-rise tower (Liverpool CBD)
Ventia/Kordia
Aeronautical Impact Assessment – Optus Telecommunications Tower (Bowen Mountain)
Urban Ethos
Preliminary Aeronautical Impact Assessment – Herbert Street Precinct (St Leonards)
Urban Ethos & ESR
Aviation Safeguarding Assessment – Warehousing Due Diligence (Badgerys Creek)
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Ethos Urban
Preliminary Aeronautical Impact Assessment – Herbert Street Precinct (St Leonards)
Ethos Urban sought advice with respect to the aeronautical restrictions which covered a range of development sites in S Leonards, collectively referred to as the Herbert Street Precinct. Avlaw’s assessment focused on two key considerations, one being the prescribed airspace for Sydney Airport and the other airspace which should remain free of obstacles to protect flight paths to and from the Royal North Shore Hospital (RNSH) rooftop helipad. Avlaw completed a high-level assessment which provided Ethos Urban with a clear understanding of the heights to which buildings and cranes could reach without introducing hazards to aviation activities.
Ethos Urban & ESR
Aviation Safeguarding Assessment – Warehousing Due Diligence (Badgerys Creek)
As part of a due diligence exercise being conducted on a proposed development site in Badgerys Creek, Avlaw was engaged by Ethos Urban to prepare an Aviation Safeguarding Assessment to identify aeronautical restrictions that had the potential to restrict development at the site. The scope of Avlaw’s assessment included airspace, noise, wildlife, emissions and plumes, windshear and turbulence, lighting, public safety areas, aviation facilities (e.g. navigation equipment) and helicopter landing sites. Based on the proposed land use at the site, Public Safety Areas was identified as one criteria which required further investigation. ESR (developer) subsequently engaged Avlaw to complete a more detailed assessment into this potential limitation, the findings of which were documented in a letter of advice.
Ventia/Kordia
Aeronautical Impact Assessment – Optus Telecommunications Tower (Bowen Mountain)
Avlaw was engaged by Kordia with respect to assessing the aeronautical impacts associated with the erection of a telecommunications tower in Bowen Mountain. At the time of engagement, the DA was with Hawkesbury City Council awaiting determination, however there had been an objection from the Department of Defence which has led to the request for Avlaw’s assistance.
Avlaw completed an Aeronautical Impact Assessment that supplemented Kordia’s response to aviation stakeholders that ultimately led to the tower being approved without any reductions in height.
Quasar
Aeronautical Impact Assessment – Bunnings Warehouse (Tempe)
Quasar engaged Avlaw to assess the aviation impacts of the proposed construction of a Bunnings Warehouse in Tempe and to assist with engagement with relevant stakeholders during the approval process (i.e. Sydney Airport, CASA and Airservices Australia). Avlaw prepared an Aeronautical Impact Assessment which discovered that the crane activity required to complete construction would penetrate Sydney Airport’s PANS-OPS. Given the site’s close proximity to Sydney Airport and to manage risks to As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP), the penetrations of the PANS-OPS were proposed to only occur during the curfew at Sydney Airport in order to minimise the adverse impacts of the construction on the safety, efficiency and regularity of aircraft operations. Approvals were ultimately issued for the crane heights requested which allowed construction to proceed.
Novus Development
Aeronautical Impact Assessment – BTR tower (Parramatta)
Avlaw was engaged by Novus to prepare an Aeronautical Impact Assessment (AIA) to support a DA submission for the development of a high-rise tower at 39-43 Hassall St in Parramatta. The AIA also supplemented an application for controlled activity approval to Bankstown Airport as the crane activity to complete construction penetrated the OLS. Approval was issued for the desired crane height and period of penetration meaning development could proceed as planned without impact the safety, regularity or efficiency of any aviation activities.
Altis Property Partners (now Barings)
Aeronautical Impact Assessment – High-rise tower (Liverpool CBD)
Altis Property Partners engaged Avlaw to prepare an Aeronautical Impact Assessment which would supplement their DA and applications for aviation approvals to Bankstown Airport and Liverpool Hospital. Avlaw’s assessment discovered that the crane heights required to complete construction would penetration the PANS-OPS for Bankstown Airport. Such approvals are complex and are limited to a maximum of three months. Avlaw provided the safety case and mitigations which would facilitate the construction to proceed as planned and approvals were issued which would allow construction to proceed without lowering the desired crane height or the period it would be erected.
Coronation
Airspace Assessment – Moore Point Precinct (Moorebank)
Coronation are developing a series of sites in south-western Sydney suburb of Moorebank and engaged Avlaw to understand the airspace restrictions which could limit the height of buildings and cranes. Given the proximity of the sites to Bankstown Airport, flight paths at this aerodrome were the main focus of Avlaw’s assessment which sought to address three main queries from Coronation:
• Confirm the height of circling procedures for Category B and C aircraft;
• Relevance of circling areas and likelihood of penetrations being permitted; and
• Frequency of reviews of airspace restrictions and the Bankstown Airport Master Plan
Meriton
Infinity Tower
Avlaw Aviation Consulting was engaged by Meriton to provide a safety case to support their application to Brisbane Airport Corporation with respect to crane activity associated with the construction of Infinity Tower. A temporary penetration of the PANS-OPS was initially rejected prior to Avlaw Aviation Consulting’s involvement, a decision that was eventually overturned without any reduction in heights or periods of operation.
Lendlease
International Tower One, Barangaroo
Avlaw Aviation Consulting was engaged by Lendlease to provide a safety case to support their application to Sydney Airport Corporation Limited (SACL) with respect to permanent and temporary penetrations of prescribed airspace. After completing the aeronautical assessment and preparing the relevant documentation, Avlaw Aviation Consulting managed the approval process on behalf of Lendlease by liaising with all relevant stakeholders including SACL, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), Airservices Australia and the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development (DIRD). Approvals being sought were granted and facilitated the completion of construction.
Lendlease
One Sydney Harbour
Avlaw Aviation Consulting was the principal aviation consultant engaged to provide technical input with regards to the aeronautical impacts associated with the proposed development of two residential towers at Barangaroo. The advice provided also took into consideration temporary crane activity required to complete construction.
Crown Resorts
Crown Sydney Hotel Resort
Following our successful involvement with Lendlease on International Tower One, Avlaw Aviation Consulting was engaged by Crown Resorts to provide a safety case to support their application to Sydney Airport Corporation Limited (SACL) with respect to permanent and temporary penetrations of prescribed airspace of the proposed landmark Crown Sydney Hotel Resort at Barangaroo.
Taylor Constructions
Mascot
Taylor Constructions required an aviation consultant to assist prepare a submission seeking regulatory approvals for crane activity near Sydney Airport. Avlaw Aviation Consulting was involved across both Stages 2 and 3 of the development of the Connect Corporate Centre. The scope related to providing technical assessment of crane activity on aircraft operations and stakeholder liaison. The approvals being sought by Taylor Constructions were granted by the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development. An amendment to the period/length for which the approval was required to complete construction was also managed successfully by Avlaw Aviation Consulting.
Hans Sydney
338 Pitt Street
An aviation consultant was required to assist with a number of controlled activity approvals being sought for a 260m-tall tower in Sydney’s CBD. Avlaw Aviation Consulting was engaged following an initial application by the Proponent was rejected by Airservices Australia. A Safety Case was prepared to support the building and crane activity exceeding the declared prescribed airspace limits over the site. The application was approved and required a change to a boundary of the Radar Terrain Clearance Chart for Sydney Airport. Our involvement facilitated a potential increase in building and crane height of 91m.
Lendlease
Victoria Cross Over Station Development
Victoria Cross Station forms part of Stage 2 of the Sydney Metro. An Over Station Development at Victoria Cross required approval from aviation authorities due to its proposed building and cranes heights penetrating Sydney Airport’s prescribed airspace. Avlaw was initially engaged by the architect on the project Bates Smart before continuing to provide aeronautical advice to Lendlease as developers and builders. The proposed building and crane heights were assessed as approvable by Avlaw’s project team.
Greaton Union
George St Event Cinemas Redevelopment
Avlaw was engaged to provide preliminary aeronautical advice in relation to identifying airspace height constraints associated with a Concept Development Application for a proposed apartment and hotel tower envelope located at 525 George St in Sydney. The site is currently occupied by Event Cinemas which will be redeveloped as a hotel, residential and retail facilities in addition to a new cinema. The principle of shielding applies to the tower which Avlaw has assessed as approvable from an aeronautical perspective.
Built
Liverpool Civic Place
Avlaw Aviation Consulting was engaged to identify the aeronautical impacts associated with the FJMT designed masterplan for Liverpool Civic Place. Consisting of commercial, retail and education spaces, the tallest proposed tower on the site will reach 24 stories and play a key role in transforming Sydney third CBD (after Sydney City and Parramatta) into an 18-hour economy. The preliminary assessment of proposed tower heights were deemed approvable from an aeronautical perspective by the Avlaw team.
Pitt St Developer North
Pitt St North Over Station Development
Avlaw was engaged to address the Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements relating to flight paths and airspace impacts associated with construction of the Pitt St North Over Station Development proposed to be constructed above the Pitt St Metro Station. An Aeronautical Impact Assessment Report was completed to supplement the client’s SSDA submission and application to aviation authorities for airspace approval.
Pitt St Developer South
Pitt St South Over Station Development
Avlaw was engaged to address the Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements relating to flight paths and airspace impacts associated with construction of the Pitt St South Over Station Development proposed to be constructed above the Pitt St Metro Station. An Aeronautical Impact Assessment Report was completed to supplement the client’s SSDA submission and application to aviation authorities for airspace approval.
Hutchison Ports Australia
Port Botany Shipping Container Terminal
Avlaw was engaged to provide technical aviation advisory services to facilitate the installation of taller cranes at Hutchison Ports Australia’s Port Botany terminal. A very complex project involving numerous private and public sector stakeholders that stretched across 4.5 years that was successfully concluded with the issuing of controlled activity approvals for four new cranes that are considered key to the ports expansion strategy and the NSW economy at large. Avlaw also subcontracted a component of the scope relating to environmental impacts associated with larger vessels entering the port which required a windshear and turbulence study to be conducted.
Thelem Consulting
Cockle Bay Wharf Redevelopment
As part of the proposed redevelopment of Cockle Bay Wharf in Darling Harbour, a preliminary aeronautical impact assessment was required to assess the approved commercial high-rise envelope of RL 183m. The assessment by Avlaw Aviation Consulting concluded that the building will not adversely impact on aviation safety or efficiency and should be approved. Crane activity will be further assessed in the lead up to the Stage 2 DA and is also likely to be approvable given the generous vertical buffer between the building and the maximum permissible height assessed to date.
Toplace
Parramatta Mixed-Use Development
A two-tower development was proposed to be constructed by Toplace at 189 Macquarie St in Parramatta. An Aeronautical Impact Assessment was completed by Avlaw which found that the building and crane heights proposed would not adversely impact on the safety or efficiency of aircraft operations of Bankstown Airport and Westmead Hospital. The Avlaw report was submitted to aviation stakeholders for assessment which ultimately led to the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications issuing controlled activity approvals for the permanent and temporary structures, thus allowing the development to proceed.