Williamtown (Newcastle Airport) Airspace and Civil Flight Path Review

Consultation has concluded

An aerial view of Newcastle Beach and Ocean Baths showing the city of Newcastle in the background

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Williamtown is located near Newcastle NSW, and is also known as Newcastle Airport.

Air traffic at Williamtown is managed by the Department of Defence (Defence) and civilian aircraft movements, including scheduled flight services, operate via an agreement between Defence and Newcastle Airport.

Background

In 2015, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and RAAF conducted a Joint Aeronautical Study of Williamtown Airspace. The Study published 33 findings and recommendations aimed at improving the operation of Williamtown airspace. Access a copy of the Study here.

The Study found that a significant increase in scheduled air traffic, together with the introduction of next generation military aircraft requires a redesign of the airspace in accordance with international best practice.

Project Overview

In line with the recommendations of the Study, Airservices is working with Defence on a new airspace and flight path design for Williamtown (Newcastle Airport).

Airservices plans to implement these changes in mid 2023, following CASA approval.

Learn more about this project in our overview fact sheet here and community specific fact sheets under "Maps and region specific information".

This project may result in changes to the location of some existing civil flight paths, including the possibility of some new flight paths being introduced. Where possible we will aim to keep operations in areas of current aircraft activity, or increase over the bay operations. It is expected that some military transport operations may sometimes use these flight paths.

During 2021 and 2022, we will be undertaking comprehensive community engagement with residents on this project. This will occur in multiple phases, starting with early engagement to assist in the development of the preliminary design and continuing throughout the design and implementation phases.

The preliminary design will be available in mid 2022 for community consultation and feedback.

To learn more about our flight path design process, access our Flight Path Design Principles.

While this change is not related to Newcastle Airport expansion plans or proposed developments as outlined in 2036 Newcastle Airport Vision[1], it will contribute to the overall modernisation of aviation infrastructure and architecture for the region.

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Williamtown is located near Newcastle NSW, and is also known as Newcastle Airport.

Air traffic at Williamtown is managed by the Department of Defence (Defence) and civilian aircraft movements, including scheduled flight services, operate via an agreement between Defence and Newcastle Airport.

Background

In 2015, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and RAAF conducted a Joint Aeronautical Study of Williamtown Airspace. The Study published 33 findings and recommendations aimed at improving the operation of Williamtown airspace. Access a copy of the Study here.

The Study found that a significant increase in scheduled air traffic, together with the introduction of next generation military aircraft requires a redesign of the airspace in accordance with international best practice.

Project Overview

In line with the recommendations of the Study, Airservices is working with Defence on a new airspace and flight path design for Williamtown (Newcastle Airport).

Airservices plans to implement these changes in mid 2023, following CASA approval.

Learn more about this project in our overview fact sheet here and community specific fact sheets under "Maps and region specific information".

This project may result in changes to the location of some existing civil flight paths, including the possibility of some new flight paths being introduced. Where possible we will aim to keep operations in areas of current aircraft activity, or increase over the bay operations. It is expected that some military transport operations may sometimes use these flight paths.

During 2021 and 2022, we will be undertaking comprehensive community engagement with residents on this project. This will occur in multiple phases, starting with early engagement to assist in the development of the preliminary design and continuing throughout the design and implementation phases.

The preliminary design will be available in mid 2022 for community consultation and feedback.

To learn more about our flight path design process, access our Flight Path Design Principles.

While this change is not related to Newcastle Airport expansion plans or proposed developments as outlined in 2036 Newcastle Airport Vision[1], it will contribute to the overall modernisation of aviation infrastructure and architecture for the region.

  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Online community consultation session - October 2022

    Register to attend the online community consultation session at 7pm on Monday 17 October.

    You will receive a separate email with a link to the session shortly.

    Consultation has concluded
  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Online community consultation session - registration

    Consultation has concluded
  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Central Coast Community Consultation Session (Kanwal)

    Monday 18 July 2022

    Open session between 4.30pm and 7.30pm

    Lakelands Community Centre (Activity Room)

    3 Literary Close, Kanwal


    This is not a structured meeting with a specific start time. 

    It is an opportunity for local residents to come in and talk to our technical experts about the preliminary design and to provide feedback.

    Consultation has concluded
  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Lake Macquarie Community Consultation Sessions (Swansea and Kilaben Bay)

    Tuesday 19 July 2022

    Open session between 4.30pm and 7.30pm

    Swansea Centre - Ocean Room 1

    228 Pacific Highway, Swansea

    or

    Saturday 30 July 2022

    Open session between 2.00pm and 5.00pm

    Kilaben Bay Community Hall

    132A Kilaben Bay Road, Kilaben Bay


    This is not a structured meeting with a specific start time. 

    It is an opportunity for local residents to come in and talk to our technical experts about the preliminary design and to provide feedback.

    Consultation has concluded
  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Cessnock Community Consultation Sessions (Cessnock and Kurri Kurri)

    Wednesday 20 July 2022

    Open session between 4.30pm and 7.30pm

    Cessnock Performing Arts Centre (Program Room)

    198 Vincent Street, Cessnock

    Or

    Friday 29 July 2022

    Open session between 4.30pm and 7.30pm

    Kurri Kurri Senior Citizens Hall

    132 Barton Street, Kurri Kurri


    This is not a structured meeting with a specific start time. 

    It is an opportunity for local residents to come in and talk to our technical experts about the preliminary design and to provide feedback.

    Consultation has concluded
  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    MidCoast Community Consultation Session (Hawks Nest)

    Thursday 21 July 2022

    Open session between 4.30pm and 7.30pm

    Hawks Nest Community Centre

    71 Booner Street, Hawks Nest


    This is not a structured meeting with a specific start time. 

    It is an opportunity for local residents to come in and talk to our technical experts about the preliminary design and to provide feedback.

    Consultation has concluded
  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Maitland Community Consultation Sessions (Rutherford and Thornton)

    Friday 22 July 2022

    Open session between 4.30pm and 7.30pm

    Rutherford Community Centre

    Arthur Street, Rutherford

    or

    Saturday 30 July 2022

    Open session between 9.00am and 12.00pm

    Pat Hughes Community Centre

    Taylor Avenue, Thornton


    This is not a structured meeting with a specific start time. 

    It is an opportunity for local residents to come in and talk to our technical experts about the preliminary design and to provide feedback.

    Consultation has concluded
  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Port Stephens Community Consultation Sessions (Williamtown and Seaham)

    Saturday 23 July 2022

    Open session between 9.00am and 12.00pm

    Williamtown Hall

    2 Sandeman Street, Williamtown

    or

    Thursday 28 July 2022

    Open session between 10.00am and 1.00pm

    Raymond Terrace Senior Citizens Hall

    17E Irrawang Street, Raymond Terrace

    Or

    Thursday 28 July 2022

    Open session between 4.30pm and 7.30pm

    Seaham Scout Hall

    10 Warren Street, Seaham



    This is not a structured meeting with a specific start time. 

    It is an opportunity for local residents to come in and talk to our technical experts about the preliminary design and to provide feedback.

    Consultation has concluded
  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Newcastle Community Consultation Sessions (Wallsend and Carrington)

    Saturday 23 July 2022

    Open session between 2.00pm and 5.00pm

    Wallsend Railway Goods Shed

    76 Cowper Road, Wallsend

    or

    Wednesday 27 July 2022

    Open session between 4.30pm and 7.30pm

    Carrington Community Centre

    1A Hargraves Street, Carrington


    This is not a structured meeting with a specific start time. 

    It is an opportunity for local residents to come in and talk to our technical experts about the preliminary design and to provide feedback.

    Consultation has concluded
  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Singleton Community Consultation Session (Singleton)

    Monday 25 July 2022

    Open session between 4.30pm and 7.30pm

    Singleton Diggers

    49 Castlereagh Street, Singleton


    This is not a structured meeting with a specific start time. 

    It is an opportunity for local residents to come in and talk to our technical experts about the preliminary design and to provide feedback.

    Consultation has concluded
  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Dungog Community Consultation Session (Dungog)

    Tuesday 26 July 2022

    Open session between 4.30pm and 7.30pm

    CWA Hall

    199 Dowling Street, Dungog


    This is not a structured meeting with a specific start time. 

    It is an opportunity for local residents to come in and talk to our technical experts about the preliminary design and to provide feedback.

    Consultation has concluded
  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Community survey

    To provide input for us to consider in our design and assessment activities please complete this survey. 

    Before you provide input please read our community specific information here, which lists locations we have already identified for consideration. 

    You can submit between Thursday 4 March 2021 and Friday 16 April 2021 (5pm NSW time). 

    Read about our privacy policy and how we manage your personal information here.

    Consultation has concluded