Preferred flight path design open for feedback

We are pleased to share the preferred flight path design to support Ballina Byron Gateway Airport moving to controlled airspace in 2025. These are now open for community review and feedback. You can review the design here. You can also use our zoomable map tool in the tab above to search your address or view a location in relation to the flight paths. You can also view an assessment of noise levels, frequency of use and aircraft altitude information here.

These flight paths have been refined following community and industry feedback received during engagement on the preliminary flight path design from July to September 2024. We have published a feedback summary and assessment document summarising the feedback received and our responses.

For a more detailed assessment of the proposed changes, you can view the Environmental impact assessment (EIA).

The EIA explains existing airport operations and assesses the impact of the proposed flight path and airspace changes as a whole against a range of environmental factors, including noise, emissions and biodiversity. The EIA identified the need to refer the change for advice from the Commonwealth Minister of Environment (Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water) in accordance with Sections 28 and 160 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act). This has been actioned.

Please note, the information provided on forecast aircraft movement numbers during preliminary design engagement included circuit training arrival and departure operations and other general aviation movements. During the more detailed review of the Preferred Design, these movements have been excluded as they will not fly on the proposed new flight paths (other than initial departure and final arrival segments). Thus, the number of movements forecast for each flight path will generally be lower than previously communicated.

You can submit your feedback on the preferred flight path design via our Submit Feedback page. You can provide feedback on as many of the flight paths as you wish.

Feedback on the preferred flight path design closes on Sunday 22 December 2024. Feedback will be considered in determining the final flight paths for implementation next year.

A reminder that registrations for our community engagement sessions (19 to 28 November) are open. We look forward to seeing you at a session and to receiving your feedback.