[Peetwo]

Safety Case?????

Some interesting developments on the DFO investigation. Obviously, there is a lot of discussion over runway 26; but let’s get back to 17/35 for a moment.

The runway is code 3 and 45m wide, so a visit to that 2004 version of the MOS again.



As this photo from 2003 shows; there is a fence encroaching on a full strip width of 300m. Could the fence have not been moved, say a few meters to the east?



Well yes, the fence could be moved…………and it was moved……….40 odd meters west!



But you say there must to have been further impediments to make it not practicable to satisfy the 300m requirement?

As this photo from 2006 shows there were in fact small shrubs and a building.  Could these not have been taken away? An afternoon with a slab of VB, a chainsaw and a bull dozer would surely have done the trick.



Well yes they could have been taken way…………..and they were…….to make way for a public access road (amongst other things).



So, there is a fence that can be moved and some shrubs and building that can be taken away; so, what is it that makes it not practicable to satisfy the 300m requirement.

Could it be a series of developments?

And again, from that 2004 MOS:

6.2.18.4          If an aerodrome operator wishes to provide a lesser runway strip width to that specified in the standards, the aerodrome operator must provide CASA with a safety case justifying why it is impracticable to meet the standard.  The safety case must include documentary evidence that all relevant stakeholders have been consulted.


Ah yes; the SAFETY CASE????????????????????

It did seem to be missing from the FOI on the DFO development....just saying!

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The approval processes for the Bulla Road Precinct Retail Outlet Centre Investigation number: AI-2018-010

Summary

On 21 February 2017, a building that is part of the Essendon Airport Bulla Road Precinct retail centre was struck by a Beechcraft King Air B200 (VH-ZCR). The ATSB’s preliminary report for this accident was published in March 2017. This preliminary report stated that the approval process for this building would be a matter for further investigation.

The building was part of the Bulla Road Precinct Retail Outlet Centre development, which was proposed by the lessee of Essendon Airport in 2003 and approved by the Federal Government in 2004.

Due to the specialist nature of the approval process and airspace issues attached to the retail centre development, and not to delay the final report into the accident from February 2017, the ATSB has decided to investigate this matter separately.

The investigation will examine the building approval process from an aviation safety perspective, including any airspace issues associated with the development, to determine the transport safety impact of the development on aviation operations at Essendon Airport.

A final report will be released at the conclusion of the investigation. Should a critical safety issue be identified during the course of the investigation, relevant parties will be immediately notified so that appropriate safety action can be taken.
 
General details
Date: 21 February 2017
Investigation status: Active
Location   (show map): Essendon Airport, Bulla Road Precinct Retail Outlet Centre
Investigation type: Safety Issue Investigation
State: Victoria
Report status: Pending

Expected completion: August 2018 
 


Last update 08 February 2018

So Mr PB I wonder how thorough the ATSB will be in examining the safety case for the DFO development approval??

I also wonder what this means for the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee's 1 year extended inquiry into the Airports Amendment Bill 2016 [Provisions]:

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Recent aviation incidents

1.12 On 21 February, soon after the initiation of this inquiry, a Beechcraft B200
Super King Air VH-ZCR crashed at Essendon Airport. The aircraft impacted the DFO
shopping centre alongside the airport resulting in a major fire. An Australian pilot and
four American tourists on board died in the crash.

1.13 These tragic events brought into stark relief the importance of appropriate
airport planning regulation and processes.

1.14 Evidence received by the committee at Additional Estimates on 27 February
detailed the accident investigations currently underway by the Australian Transport
Safety Bureau. In addition, the Department of Infrastructure and Regional
Development (the Department) noted that it was examining 'development approval
processes involved in the land-use planning at the airport'.11 Departmental Secretary,
Mr Mike Mrdak informed the committee that the Department had provided advice to
the Minister on the accident investigation process as well as the development approval
process for buildings allocated at the DFO site.12

1.15 The committee was also advised that the National Airports Safeguarding
Advisory Group (NASAG) was considering the adoption of draft national guidelines,
regarding runway public safety zones around airports, and runway end safety zones.
Queensland is currently the only Australian jurisdiction to have public safety zone
legislation.13

1.16 On 2 March, correspondence was received from Minister Chester requesting
that the committee consider extending its inquiry in light of the tragic accident and
subsequent investigations underway (at Appendix 1).

1.17 The committee recognises that the findings and recommendations of the
investigations into this tragedy, and the work of NASAG, may have implications for
the bill. It takes the view that sufficient time should be provided to allow the
investigations to proceed and for the committee to then properly consider their
findings.

1.18 Therefore, the committee recommends that its inquiry on the bill be extended
to allow consideration of the investigations and any other relevant aviation regulation
developments.

1.19 Submissions already received and published by the committee (at Appendix
2) will be considered as part of the inquiry following the outcome of the
investigations.

Recommendation 1

1.20 The committee recommends that the Senate grant an extension of time
for the committee to report to the first sitting day of March 2018.

Senator Barry O'Sullivan

Chair

Appendix 1 - Correspondence from The Hon Darren Chester MP (PDF 442KB)

Appendix 2 - Submissions received (PDF 28KB)

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MTF...P2