Increased Surveillance Services for 4 Towers – Rockhampton and Mackay

Our Airspace Modernisation Program (AMP) will enhance the safety and efficiency of Australian airspace and increase access to airspace for the aviation industry through national standardisation and leveraging increased surveillance to enhance service provision. It involves a range of initiatives including Increased Surveillance Services program for 4 Towers.

As part of AMP, we are utilising radar surveillance to provide separation services during tower hours at Rockhampton, Mackay, Hobart and Launceston airports.

Current air traffic control operations

During tower operating hours, en-route air traffic controllers (located in Brisbane) manage both arriving and departing aircraft above approximately 4,500 feet (1,370 metres) Above Mean Sea Level (AMSL). Below 4,500 feet AMSL, the local air traffic control tower manage the remainder of the arrival or departure on the designated flight paths to and from the runway. The tower air traffic controller provides this service using specified procedures.

Outside of tower operating hours, en-route air traffic controllers (located in Brisbane) manage both arriving and departing aircraft above approximately 700 feet (210 metres) Above Ground Level (AGL) using radar surveillance which detects and displays the location of aircraft so that separation of aircraft can be managed. Below 700 feet AGL, aircraft operators continue their track to and from the runway based on the aircraft requirements and air traffic at the time. The tower air traffic control service is not required at night due to the low traffic volumes.

New air traffic control operations

From 16 June 2022, we are changing we the service we provide.

During tower operating hours, air traffic controllers (located in Brisbane) will manage both arriving and departing aircraft above approximately 1000 feet AMSL. Below these altitudes, the local air traffic control tower will manage the remainder of the arrival or departure on the designated flight path. The tower air traffic controller provides this service without radar surveillance.

Outside of tower operating hours, air traffic controllers (located in Brisbane) will provide a radar surveillance service for both arriving and departing aircraft above approximately 4,500 feet AMSL ( 1,370 metres). Below 4,500 feet AMSL, we will provide a flight information service which provides the location of other traffic to aircraft operators. Aircraft will continue to track to and from the runway based on the aircraft requirements and air traffic at the time.

There is no change to existing arrival and departure flightpaths or procedures, and we do not expect any change to the operations currently experienced by the community.

Next steps

Updates on the progress of this project will be provided in the news feed below.

For questions relating to specific aircraft operations or to make a complaint, please contact our Noise Complaints and Information Service (NCIS).