Off-airport assessment

Problem:

Land use activity in the vicinity of the airport is attracting an unacceptable number or type of wildlife that is contributing to the strike risk. Or, there are concerns that a proposed land use activity has the potential to attract wildlife and elevate the strike risk.

Solution:

Avisure evaluates how land uses in the vicinity of aerodromes are attracting wildlife (or have the potential to), how this contributes to the wildlife strike risk, and how to mitigate these risks. Our assessments:

• Summarise the existing regulatory framework to identify, monitor and manage wildlife hazards in the vicinity of aerodromes
• Cross-reference land use against any local, state or national airport safeguarding planning policies and guidelines (e.g. in Australia, the National Airports Safeguarding Framework, Queensland State Planning Policy)
• Assess the risk of land uses with a model developed by Avisure to determine the contribution of an off-airport land use to the wildlife strike risk.
• Assess the airport’s wildlife strike risk to determine the actual and potential risks posed by wildlife. We use semi-quantitative, industry-endorsed risk assessment methods
• Recommend development control and assessment options that will help identify potential wildlife hazards associated with land use development applications.
• Recommend mitigation options based on the nature and extent of the risk. This may relate to:
  • Water (e.g. retention or detention ponds, drains)
  • Waste (e.g. landfills, transfer stations, processing facilities)
  • Infrastructure (e.g. building design, lighting)
  • The natural environment (e.g. flying-foxes, wildlife breeding colonies)
• Provide guidelines for landscaping works that:
  • Identifies inappropriate species (i.e. those species that are known wildlife attractants)
  • Lists appropriate species (i.e. those species that offer a low wildlife attractant) suitable for use
  • Recommends monitoring and maintenance regimes to identify and manage any emerging risks associated with landscaping.

We can also work with planning authorities to:

• Help develop performance outcomes and acceptable solutions to manage potential and existing incompatible land uses.
• Recommend how performance-based outcomes and management options can be incorporated into the planning framework.
• Recommend development control and assessment options that will help identify potential wildlife hazards associated with land use development applications within 13km from airports.

Benefit:

A comprehensive assessment of actual or potential wildlife hazards associated with land use in the vicinity of an airport paves the way for mitigation and strike risk reduction.