environment strategy final 2009 - · pdf filethe asa master plan 2009 and together these...

2009

Alice Springs Airportenvironment strAteGyFinal

approved 17 March 2010

www.alicespringsairport.com.au


i table of contents

i taBle oF Contents. ...................................................1

ii ForeWord. .................................................................5

iii eXeCutive suMMarY. ................................................6

1. introduCtion. ..........................................................9

Background. ............................................................10

ownership. ..............................................................10

location . ................................................................10

surrounding land use. .............................................11

operations. ..............................................................11

social and economic impact of alice springs airport. ...11

Master Plan. ............................................................11

2. airPort legislation FraMeWorK. ........................15

airport legislation. ...................................................16

department of infrastructure, transport,

regional development and local government. ............16

airport environment strategy . ...................................17

AES Process Outline. ...............................................17

Stakeholder and Community Consultation. .................17

Dissemination of AES. .............................................17

3. environMental ManageMent FraMeWorK. ........19

environmental Management objectives. ......................20

sustainability Policy. .................................................20

Corporate environmental Management. ......................21

training. ..................................................................21

environmental Policy. ...............................................21

environmental Management system. ..........................22

environmental site register. ......................................22

sites of signifi cance. .................................................22

studies, reviews and Monitoring. ..............................22

4. environMental attriButes. .................................25

Background. ............................................................26

sources of environmental impact. ..............................26

Current Management Practices . ................................26

recent achievements. ...............................................26

Five Year action Plan. ...............................................26

5. Water. .....................................................................29

Background. ............................................................30

Defi nition. ..............................................................30

Overview. ..............................................................30

Legislative Requirements and Guidelines. ..................31


Current Management Practices. .................................31

Fuel Storage Tanks. .................................................31

Hazardous Substance Spills. ....................................31

Washdown Activities. ..............................................31

Groundwater Monitoring. .........................................31



6. land. .......................................................................33

Background. ............................................................34

Defi nition. ..............................................................34

Overview. ..............................................................34




Soil Management and Monitoring. ............................35

Fire Management....................................................35

Contaminated Land.................................................35



7. BiodiversitY. ..........................................................37

Background. ............................................................38

Defi nition. ..............................................................38

Overview. ..............................................................38




Vegetation Management. .........................................38

Pest Animals. .........................................................39

Bird and Animal Strike. ...........................................39

Monitoring and Research. ........................................39



8. air QualitY and eMissions. ...................................43

Background. ............................................................44

Defi nition. ..............................................................44

Overview. ..............................................................44

Legislative Requirements and Guidelines . .................44





9. noise. ......................................................................47

Background. ............................................................48

Overview. ..............................................................48






10. Hazardous Materials. ........................................51

Background. ............................................................52

Definition. ..............................................................52

Overview. ..............................................................52






11. Waste. ...................................................................55

Background. ............................................................56

Definition. ..............................................................56

Overview. ..............................................................56






12. resourCe use. .....................................................59

Background. ............................................................60

Definition. ..............................................................60

Overview. ..............................................................60






13. Cultural Heritage. .............................................63

Background. ............................................................64

Overview. ..............................................................64






14. develoPMent. ......................................................67

Background. ............................................................68

Overview. ..............................................................68






15. tenants. ...............................................................71

Background. ............................................................72

Overview. ..............................................................72





16. CoMMunitY. ..........................................................75

Background. ............................................................76


Research . .............................................................76



17. aCronYMs and glossarY. ...................................79

acronyms. ...............................................................80

glossary. .................................................................80

18. aPPendiCes. ..........................................................83

aPPendiX 1. ...........................................................84

Airport Environment Strategy –

Legislative Requirements. ........................................84

aPPendiX 2. ...........................................................86

Flora and Fauna at Alice Springs Airport. ...................86

19. Figures and taBles. ............................................93

20. reFerenCes. .........................................................97


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ii Foreword

page 5

I am pleased to present Alice Springs Airport’s 2009 Final

Environment Strategy.

Alice Springs Airport Pty Ltd (ASA) has a 50 year lease

plus 49 year option over the Alice Springs Airport from the

Commonwealth of Australia under the Airports Act 1996.

The Airport Environment Strategy (AES) outlines how we will

build on our environmental achievements and continue to

put management systems in place to meet our environmental

commitments over the next fi ve years and into the future.

The AES provides the mechanisms to both better manage

our environmental risks and further integrate and embed

sustainable environmental management into every aspect of

our business.

During the development of the Environment Strategy we have

refl ected on the performance and learning of the past and

used this knowledge to develop an effective and accountable

program for future environmental works. We will continue to

operate Alice Springs Airport responsibly and in the interest of

our stakeholders.

Our ties with the community form a very important cornerstone

for the Airport and we make it a priority to encourage positive

involvement with the local communities.

Yours sincerely

iAn KeWChief executive offi cer

alice springs airport

iii executive summary

The Airports Act 1996 requires that Alice Springs

Airport has a Final Environment Strategy written for

its operations. Under the Act it is an offence to cause

environmental harm at an airport site and this strategy

outlines objectives and targets which will assist Alice

Springs Airport Pty Ltd (ASA) to ensure compliance with

this standard.

This document is a fi ve year strategic plan for the management

of Alice Springs Airport operations. Its purpose is to ensure

relevant environmental standards and legislation are adhered

to and guide continual improvement in environmental

management across the airport.

ASA and all operators of any undertaking at the Airport

are legally required to take all practicable steps to meet

the requirements outlined in the AES. this includes any

airport based business, tenant or contractors. Environmental

management is ultimately the responsibility of all staff, tenants

and contractors at the Airport.

The following table contains the key objectives set by ASA

for each environmental attribute potentially impacted by

airport operations.

environmentAL Attribute obJective

Water • ensure minimal impact on surface and groundwater quality as a result of alice springs airport operations.• Maintain water quality within acceptable limits, as defi ned by legislative standards.

land • employ land management practices which facilitate safe and sustainable alice springs airport operations, whilst minimising detrimental effects on the airport site, neighbouring land and the atmosphere.

• ensure that existing contaminated sites are monitored and remediated where necessary.

Biodiversity • in accordance with relevant legislation, protect rare and endangered species, natural habitats, fl ora and fauna wherever practicable, through sustainable management practices.

• Minimise the rate and risk of bird and other animal aircraft strikes whilst also minimising negative impacts on wildlife.

• Comply with animal ethics legislation and guidelines when undertaking wildlife management activities.

air Quality and emissions • Compliance with air quality standards as defi ned by Commonwealth and northern territory regulations.• Minimise air emissions from alice springs airport, in particular greenhouse gases and ozone depleting substances.

noise • ensure noise and vibration levels from ground running aircraft and other alice springs airport operations are compliant with relevant noise exposure standards.

Hazardous Materials • Minimise the use of hazardous materials at alice springs airport.• Manage hazardous material storage, use and disposal in a manner that minimises risk to the surrounding

environment.

Waste • Minimise waste production from all alice springs airport operations and recycle waste products wherever practical. • ensure wastes are properly stored, transported and disposed of.

resource use • Minimise the use of non-renewable resources.• increase effi ciency in the use of natural resources, particularly energy and potable water.• use renewable energy sources wherever practicable.

Cultural Heritage • Preserve cultural heritage sites located at alice springs airport. • Formulate and implement appropriate management procedures in the event new cultural heritage sites are identifi ed.

development • integrate environmental considerations into the development of facilities and services and seek to minimise their environmental impact on the natural environment.

tenants • Work in partnership with alice springs airport tenants and operators to ensure best environmental practice continues to be implemented in all airport operations.

Community • Maintain and increase the involvement of alice springs community groups in the development and implementation of local environmental initiatives through the promotion of positive relationships.


SECTION 1

introduction• this airport environment strategy (aes) is a

fi ve year strategic plan for the environmental

management of alice springs airport.

• the aes is relevant to all operations on airport,

including both aviation and non-aviation related

activities carried out by dia staff, tenants and

contractors.

1

SECTION 1

introduction

BaCKground

Alice Springs Airport is located approximately 14 km

south-east of the town of Alice Springs in the Northern

Territory. The airport covers a total site of approximately

3550 hectares, which makes it the largest Australian

airport in terms of area. This Airport Environment

Strategy (AES) is a fi ve year strategic plan for the

environmental management of Alice Springs Airport

(ASA) operations. Its purpose is to ensure relevant

environmental standards and legislation are adhered

to and guide continual improvement in environmental

management across the Airport.

This is the third AES for ASA, developed as a requirement of

the Airports Act 1996. It replaces the previous AES’s, which

covered the periods 1999 – 2004 and 2004 – 2009, and is

a legally binding document which will remain in force until

development of the next AES in 2014.

The AES is relevant to all operations on Airport, including both

aviation and non-aviation related activities carried out by ASA

staff, tenants and contractors. It has been developed alongside

the ASA Master Plan 2009 and together these documents will

provide direction for the management of the Airport site.

ASA is committed to building on the environmental initiatives

and improvements achieved over the previous AES periods.

The Preliminary Draft AES has been prepared by ASA with the

assistance of Ecosure Pty Lty. ASA also wishes to acknowledge

EcOz Environmental Services and Sinclair Knight Merz for their

contribution.

oWnersHiP

ASA is the airport lessee company (ALC) for Alice Springs Airport.

ASA is 100% owned by the Airport Development Group Pty

Ltd, which through its subsidiaries acquired the lease for ASA

in June 1998, as well as those for Darwin International Airport

and Tennant Creek Airport. Each lease is for a period of fi fty

(50) years with the option to renew for a further forty nine

(49) years (refer to Figure 1)

Figure 1: CoMPanY struCture

airport development group Pty ltdaBn 77 081 422 915

northern territory airports Pty ltdaBn 93 081 258 139

tennant Creek airport Pty ltdaBn 42 081 258 344

darwin international airport Pty ltdaBn 87 081 258 157

alice springs airport Pty ltdaBn 19 081 258 246

loCation

Alice Springs has long served as the tourist gateway to

Central Australia, with the airport also serving the community,

business and government. There is also a sizeable General

Aviation sector servicing the surrounding region and remote

communities. ASA is located approximately 14 kilometres

south-east of the town of Alice Springs and is unique in that it

is located at approximately the geographic centre of Australia

Alice Springs

Malaysia

Singapore

Indonesia

Philippines

AUSTRALIA

Darwin

Alice Springs is bounded by:

•The Arid Zone Research Institute (AZRI) and rural

residential to the north;

•The Todd River to the north-east;

•The Amoonguna settlement east of the Todd river;


•Undoolya Cattle Station to the east, south-east and south;

and,

•Northern Territory Government land that includes the Stuart

Highway, Finke Desert Race Track, the old Ghan Railway, a

drag strip and the Roe Creek Borefield to the west.

Climatic conditions are characterised by highly variable, low

average rainfall, high average evaporation rates and a wide

annual temperature range. These climatic conditions, combined

with the geographic isolation of the Airport pose a range of

significant environmental management issues, predominantly

water supply and management, dust storms, high fire danger

and cultural heritage management.

surrounding land use

There are few issues associated with adjacent residential use

at ASA, primarily due to the geographic isolation of the area.

Rural residential uses are limited to the northern boundary

of the Airport, where the Arid Zone Research Institute (AZRI)

is also located. Indigenous communities lie to the east of the

Airport however the Todd River provides a buffer between these

land uses. Farming, recreational, tourism and transport uses

are situated to the south and west of ASA. Amoonguna is north

of the eastern end of the Airport and is on both the north and

south sides of the Todd River. (refer to Figure 2).

oPerations

ASA serviced 630,000 passengers in the 2007/2008 financial

year. In the same year, there were 6,500 Regular Passenger

Transport (RPT) aircraft movements and 17,200 General

Aviation aircraft movements. Twenty percent of the Airport is

currently developed, with the remainder either vacant or used

for camel grazing or low impact tourism operations.

The Airport has two runways – the main runway, 12/30 is

2438 m x 45 m and the secondary runway, 17/35 is 1133

m x 18 m. Both are sealed. The Regular Passenger Transport

aircraft apron can accommodate up to a B747 aircraft and

the GA aprons can accommodate 20-30 parked aircraft. A

helicopter landing point and associated facilities are also

provided (refer to Figure 3).

The Airport is a freight transfer base for United States military

cargo planes transporting equipment and supplies to and from

the nearby Joint Defence Research Facility (JDSRF).

Additional infrastructure at ASA includes:

•Air traffic control;

•9640 square metre terminal building;

•Aircraft maintenance hangers;

•Fire fighting and training facilities;

•Air freight facilities; and

•Refuelling and other aeronautical service related facilities.

Business activities undertaken at ASA include:

•Medical services;

•Research facilities;

•ASA offices;

•Catering facilities;

•Air charter, flight training and recreational flight operations;

•Central Australian Tourist Industry Association bureau;

•Tourism and recreational services;

•Rental car facilities;

•Accommodation facilities;

•Retail operations; and

•Car parking.

soCial and eConoMiC iMPaCt oF aliCe sPrings

airPort

Through the activities of directly-related businesses the airport’s

direct contribution to the Northern Territory economy constitutes

some 0.4% of NT Gross State Product (GSP). The Airport

currently employs some 248 people in airport operations related

activities and an additional 67 in other airport businesses.

The significance of ASA to the NT is more than just economic.

The Airport services a large geographic area of Australia and

to reach an alternate city of equivalent size, providing similar

facilities and services, requires travel of over 1400 kilometres.

The maintenance and ongoing development of ASA is critical in:

•Connecting remote communities;

•Enabling continued economic development in remote

areas;

•Transporting supplies to remote locations;

•Ensuring the availability of aircraft based medical

services; and

•Servicing Department of Defence operations.

Master Plan

Under the Airports Act 1996, ASA is required to prepare

an Airport Master Plan to provide a framework for future

development at ASA. The Master Plan is updated every five

years and describes current and future airport land use and

planning over a 20 year period. The Master Plan is supported

by the AES, therefore enabling effective management of the

environmental impacts of ongoing operations and future growth

at the Airport. These two complimentary documents also ensure

effective planning and environmental management of Airport

development projects.

Development required in the next five year period will be driven

by the following factors:

•modest growth projections of aviation activity;

•developing aviation industry structure including low cost

carriers;

•evolving Airport business, the needs of business partners

and impacts on the community;

•potential to diversify airport income by expanding aviation

and no-aviation property portfolio.

Figure 2: surrounding land use


Figure 3: Current asa laYout

A3 separate document


SECTION 2

Airport LegislationFramework 2• the Airports Act 1996 and the Airports

(Environment Protection) Regulations

1997 specifi es the content of an airport

environment strategy.

• Consultation with government, business and

community is a prominent part of the environment

strategy development process.

• the environment strategy must be submitted to

the Federal Minister for infrastructure, transport,

regional development and local government

for approval.

• the Final (approved) environment strategy is

valid for fi ve years.

SECTION 2

Airport Legislative Framework

airPort legislation

The Airports Act 1996, the Airports (Environment Protection)

Regulations 1997 and the Airports (Building Control)

Regulations 1996 were enacted by the Commonwealth

to provide a regulatory framework for the operation and

development of Federal airports in Australia leased to non-

governmental enterprises.

Airports Act 1996 (the Act) – establishes the system by which

airport operators/other users are required to abide. Part 6 directs

the airport lessee company to develop an AES.

Airports (Environment Protection) Regulations 1997 (the

Regulations) – outlines standards and imposes requirements

for the management of environmental impacts. Also provide for

monitoring, reporting and remedial action.

Airports (Building Control) Regulations 1996 – establishes a

system for the approval of building activity at airports.

A summary of how legislative requirements have been

addressed in this AES is detailed in Appendix 1.

Also signifi cant in the Airport regulatory framework is the

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act

1999, which provides for the management and protection of

Australian and internationally signifi cant species of fl ora, fauna,

ecological communities and heritage places.

In the event Federal legislation does not address an

environmental issue or standard, NT legislation is applicable.

NT legislation applies to such issues as motor vehicle pollution,

occupational health and safety, emissions that deplete

stratospheric ozone and pesticide use.

Pollution or noise generated by aircraft during fl ight, landing,

taking off or taxiing is regulated under the Air Navigation

(Aircraft Engine Emissions) Regulations 1998 and the Air

Navigation (Aircraft Noise) Regulations 1984 and are not the

responsibility of the airport lessee company.

dePartMent oF inFrastruCture, transPort,

regional develoPMent and loCal governMent

The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional

Development and Local Government (DITRDLG) provides policy

advice regarding Australian airports and the aviation industry to

the Government and the Minister for DITRDLG (the Minister).

In addition, DITRDLG manages the administration of the

Government’s interests in privatised airports under the Act.

Under the Act, DITRDLG appoints two positions, the Airport

Environment Offi cer (AEO) and the Airport Building Controller

(ABC), to administer the Act and Regulations at ASA.

The AEO oversees adherence to the approved AES and

administers the Regulations. The role of the ABC is to

administer the Airports (Building Control) Regulations 1996.

ASA submits an ASA Annual Environment Report (AER) to

DITRDLG as required under the Regulation. The AER details:

The results of any monitoring undertaken;

•Any pollution events or environmental issues, accompanied

by any subsequent remediation plan; and,

•ASA’s progress in achieving the objectives and targets of

the AES.


airPort environMent strategY

Aes Process outline

FINALASAAESAPPROVEDFORFINALASAAESAPPROVEDFORFINALASAAESAPPROVEDFORTHEPERIOD2009–2014.THEPERIOD2009–2014.THEPERIOD2009–2014.

2009DRAFTAES,2009DRAFTAES,2009DRAFTAES,incorporatingincorporatingincorporatingcommentsfromperiod,submittedtothecommentsfromperiod,submittedtothecommentsfromperiod,submittedtotheMinisterforconsiderationandapprovalMinisterforconsiderationandapprovalMinisterforconsiderationandapproval

2009PRELIMINARYDRAFTAE2009PRELIMINARYDRAFTAE2009PRELIMINARYDRAFTAE2009PRELIMINARYDRAFTAE2009PRELIMINARYDRAFTAES,S,S,S,S,incorporatingagencycomments,releasedincorporatingagencycomments,releasedincorporatingagencycomments,releasedincorporatingagencycomments,releasedincorporatingagencycomments,released

forpubliccommentforpubliccommentforpubliccommentforpubliccommentforpubliccomment

2009EXPOSUREDRAFTAES2009EXPOSUREDRAFTAES2009EXPOSUREDRAFTAES2009EXPOSUREDRAFTAES2009EXPOSUREDRAFTAESpreparedforinitialagencyconsultation,preparedforinitialagencyconsultation,preparedforinitialagencyconsultation,preparedforinitialagencyconsultation,preparedforinitialagencyconsultation,

includingDITRDLG.includingDITRDLG.includingDITRDLG.includingDITRDLG.includingDITRDLG.

Figure 4: aes aPProval ProCess

stakeholder and community consultationThe Preliminary Draft AES was released to the public for

comment from 2 September to 24 November 2009.

During preparation of the AES, ASA provided the Exposure

Draft AES to relevant government agencies, including DITRDLG

to scope major issues. Consultation continued throughout the

public comment period for the AES.

Stakeholders consulted during the public comment period of the

AES included:

•Airservices Australia;

•Alice Springs Airport staff;

•Airlines;

– Qantas;

– Tiger;

•General Aviation operators;

•NT Government; and

•Alice Springs Town Council.

As part of the public consultation process, ASA provided or

undertook:

•Copies of the Preliminary Draft AES available from the

Alice Springs Airport Management Centre and from www.

alicespringsairport.com.au;

•Copies of the Preliminary Draft AES available for viewing at

the Alice Springs Public Library;

•Public display at the Airport; and

•Public display and face to face consultation at the Alice

Springs Show 3-4 July 2009.

Prior to the commencement of the public comment period, ASA

advised in writing, as per the Act:

•the NT Minister for Planning and Lands;

•Department of Planning and Infrastructure; and

•Alice Springs Town Council.

dissemination of AesAs required by the Act, ASA will ensure that sublessees or

licensees of the ALC are aware of the Final AES and any

approved variation of the strategy. This includes all staff,

tenants, contractors and other Airport users. Upon approval,

ASA will ensure that the Final AES is published in accordance

with the requirements of the Act and made available for

inspection and purchase.

Copies will be distributed to airport tenants, airlines and other

relevant stakeholders.

The ALC and all operators of any undertakings at Alice Springs

Airport are legally required to take all practicable steps to meet

the requirements outlined in the AES.


3SECTION 3

environmental management Framework• asa has established key objectives to guide

environmental management at the airport.

• asa is guided by a corporate framework which

emphasises continual improvement of all airport

management policies and programs.

• asa is committed to the continual implementation

and improvement of a comprehensive

environmental Management system and maintains

an environmental site register.

SECTION 3

environmental management Framework

environMental ManageMent oBJeCtives

ASA have established key objectives to guide environmental

management at the Airport:

•Maintain an Environmental Management System (EMS)

that is consistent with the international standard ISO

14001:2004 (Environmental Management);

•On-going identifi cation of environmental and heritage

values of the site;

•Commitment to continual improvement in minimising

environmental consequences of activities;

•Continue to defi ne clear responsibilities and conduct

training for staff and contractors to achieve the objectives

of the EMS as well as ensuring that appropriate

authority and resources are provided to effectively meet

environmental targets;

•Inform new and existing staff working within the Airport

environs of their environmental responsibilities;

•Maintain systems that identify legal and other requirements

that apply to environmental management and keep ASA

informed of change to existing and/or new legislation and

regulations; and

•Ensure periodic review and auditing of the EMS to ensure

its continuing suitability, effectiveness and compliance

with objectives.

Objectives for each environmental management attribute of the

airport are identifi ed within attribute specifi c sections 5 - 16.

CorPorate sustainaBilitY

ASA’s intention is to operate an airport business that is world

class in achieving and maintaining fi nancial and environmental

sustainability, customer service, safety and security, and is

recognised as a key contributor and participant in the economic

growth of the NT. ASA is guided by a corporate framework

which emphasises continual improvement in all airport

management policies and programs. The Airport Development

Group Corporate Sustainability Policy is referred to when setting

and reviewing environmental objectives and targets for ASA.

This policy is subject to change from time to time in order to

remain current.

sustAinAbiLity PoLicyAirport Development Group recognises the importance of

maintaining and enhancing the quality of the environment

for the benefi t of all Australians, present and future.

In developing and managing Darwin International Airport,

Alice Springs Airport and Tennant Creek Airport we will

establish and maintain a system to:

•Identify and manage the signifi cant environmental

impacts on our airports;

•Set, in consultation with relevant authorities and

the community, specifi c environmental objectives

and targets to continually improve environmental

management, minimize our environmental impacts

and to prevent pollution;

•Continually measure, monitor, report, review and

improve upon the environmental performance

defi ned by our objectives and targets;

•Incorporate sustainability principles to ensure the

needs of the present generation can be met without

compromising the ability of future generations to

meet their needs;

•Ensure company systems and processes incorporate

consideration of sustainability;

•Comply with relevant environmental legislation and

regulations;

•Lead and encourage stakeholders to improve the

management of the environment, resources and

communities in the regions in which we operate; and

•Promote the Company’s commitment to the

environment, to our employees, tenants, customers

and neighbours.


training

ASA has documented procedures to ensure that operators

and tenants receive appropriate environmental management

training. Educating individuals on environmental awareness

is vital to the successful implementation of environmental

management initiatives.

In particular personnel are made aware of:

•The importance of compliance with the Sustainability and

Environmental Policies and objectives, the AES and EMS,

and their roles and responsibilities;

•The signifi cant environmental impacts of their operations,

whether actual or potential;

•The environmental and economic benefi ts of improved

performance; and

•The potential consequences of deviating from acceptable

procedures.

Role specifi c training may include:

•Airport Induction;

•Spill Response & Management;

•Bird and Animal Hazard Management;

•Chemical Hazard Management.

Training may be conducted by appropriate external

organisations or internally.

Achievements, with regard to training, in the 2004 – 2009 AES

period include:

•Updated Staff Induction Package, including specifi c

environmental elements;

•Updated Tenant Environment Management Handbook

made available on the ASA website;

•Development of Site Rules and implementation of the

requirement for Construction Environment Management

Plans for development projects; and

•Development of a Contractor Induction program, including

on-line assessment.

CorPorate environMental ManageMent

Environmental management is the responsibility of all staff,

tenants and contractors at ASA. The Environmental Policy

undergoes consultation and is communicated, implemented

and maintained across all areas within the organisation. All

employees and agents are responsible for compliance with the

Environmental Policy. This policy is subject to change from time

to time in order to remain current.

environmentAL PoLicyThe Airport Development Group recognizes the

importance of maintain and enhancing the quality of

the environment for the benefi t of all Australians, present

and future.

In developing and managing Darwin International Airport,

Alice Springs Airport and Tennant Creek Airport we will

establish to maintain a system to:

•Identify and manage the signifi cant environmental

impacts on our airports;

•Comply with relevant environmental legislation and

regulations;

•Set, in consultation with relevant authorities and the

community, specifi c environmental objectives and

targets to minimize our environmental impact and to

prevent pollution;

•Continually measure, monitor, report and improve

upon the environmental performance defi ned by our

objectives and targets; and

•Promote the Companies commitment to the

environment, to our employees, tenants, customers

and neighbours.

The following diagram (Figure 5) describes the environmental

management framework and supporting corporate structure,

at ASA.

Figure 5: FraMeWorK For environMental ManageMent at asa

sustainability and environment Policies

Corporate sustainability Program

airport Master Planairport environment

strategyeMs and eMPs

Chief executive offi cer

Health and safety environment Manager

operations director Property director general Manager

aeoaBC

(ditrdlg appointed)

environMental ManageMent sYsteM

ASA is committed to the continual implementation and

improvement of a comprehensive Environmental Management

System (EMS) for ASA. In accordance with the Regulations,

the EMS is required to maintain consistency with relevant

Australian and International standards. The EMS for Alice

Springs Airport was developed in 2000 and continues to be

updated and enhanced to ensure it is compliant with ISO

14001:2004.

All activities at ASA with the potential to impact on the

environment are analysed and managed in the ASA EMS. The

EMS is implemented to enable ASA to formulate policy and

objectives, taking into account legislative requirements and

information about significant environmental impacts. The EMS

applies to those environmental aspects that the organisation

can control and over which it can be expected to have an

influence. The EMS takes account of pertinent regulations,

codes of practice and standards which relate to ASA’s

operational activities.

Each operator/tenant at the Airport is encouraged to develop

and implement an individual EMS, to address the specific

activities undertaken by each business and their potential

environmental impacts. ASA has established a system of

compliance for individual operators, based on the level of

environmental risk posed by their activities, which helps to

ensure the ongoing implementation and improvement of

each EMS.

environMental site register

In accordance with the Regulations, ASA has developed and

maintains an Environmental Site Register (ESR), which is a

written record of the environmental condition of the airport,

environmental site assessment details, remedial plans,

monitoring undertaken and general environmental management

at the Airport.

Details are included within the ESR of the nature, date

and place of any occurrence of environmental significance

(detrimental or beneficial) at the airport. Should a remedial

plan be required to address any pollution issues, this is

also available via the site register. Any monitoring programs

conducted by tenants are also detailed within the ESR.

Two systems are employed to maintain the ESR:

•An Environment Geographic Information System (Arc GIS)

which combines data on infrastructure and environmental

factors. This system collates environmental information for

analysis enabling consideration of environmental aspects

during land use planning.

•An intranet based document management system –

SharePoint.

sites oF signiFiCanCe

ASA has taken into account a number of considerations

to enable determination of environmentally and culturally

significant areas at the Airport, as airport legislation does not

provide a definition of significance. The NT Government has

developed a Biodiversity Guide for Environmental Impact

Assessment and Guidelines for the Terrestrial Biodiversity

Component for Environmental Impact Assessment (2005),

which ASA has applied, in conjunction with the Territory

Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 2000, to determine

communities and species of significance on the ASA site. State

and Commonwealth legislation and international agreements,

including those for migratory birds, are also considered.

Comprehensive wildlife surveys by local ecologists have

identified there are no environmentally significant areas

protected under legislation within ASA.

One vulnerable, five near threatened and four migratory species

have been recorded within ASA through the ecological survey

program (detailed at the end of Appendix 2).

There are two culturally significant sites at ASA. Following

extensive consultation with indigenous traditional owners,

the Arrernte people, and officers from NT Department of

Environment and Heritage, one sacred site, a sand hill, has

been identified on the Airport. This site is within the ‘Milikom’

lease and is shown on Figure 6.

One heritage site exists at the Airport (Figure 6). This is known

as the Seven-Mile Aerodrome, and consists of a complex

of buildings, the first of which was constructed in 1940.

The aerodrome was used for military and civilian operations

throughout the 1940’s, and continues to be used by ASA and

tenants. The aerodrome is one of the most well preserved

airfields from the World War II period in Australia, and therefore

has significant heritage values.

Management of sites of significance is carried out in accordance

with recommendations from relevant agencies, traditional

owners and/or heritage organisations. All sites of significance

are included on ASA’s Environmental Site Register.

studies, revieWs and Monitoring

Under the Regulations, ASA is required to monitor the levels of

pollution, if any, present in air, water or soil at the Airport and

the level of noise generated at the Airport.

Monitoring and measurement processes provide information

to Airport operators and tenants in relation to environmental

performance. ASA’s monitoring addresses the following areas:

•Environmental objectives and targets;

•Operations and activities that can have significant

environmental impact;


•Compliance with applicable environmental legislation and

regulations; and

•Airport operators and tenants, in order to verify that

appropriate measures are in place.

taBle 1: asa environMental Monitoring PrograM

Attribute PArAmeter/s monitored Frequency

Potable water (Bores) analytes against the australian drinking Water guidelines and schedule 2 of the regulations

Monthly and as required

stormwater drains Heavy metals and analytes against schedule 2 of the regulations 3 monthly

erosion Monitoring soil loss/accumulation, changes over time Photopoint monitoring, measurement of graduate star pickets, minimast wind vane sampling, annual aerial photography review

Pollution Control devices Functioning and integrity Quarterly

Contaminated sites soil requirements outlined in the regulations Bi-annually

ground noise regular audit and reporting of ground running activities and noise measurements as required

Chemicals use, type stored and storage facilities annually

underground storage tanks Product loss, integrity Weekly dip testing, 5/10 year integrity tests

asbestos ‘asbestos Code of Practice and guidance notes’, Worksafe australia or requirements under nt legislation

annually / as required

Waste Quantity of recycled material, waste to landfill and total waste generated Monthly

resources energy and water consumed Monthly

emissions Production of carbon and carbon equivalent emissions Monthly

The ASA ecological monitoring program is outlined in Section 7,

Biodiversity.

Data is collected and analysed by appropriately qualified staff

or contractors. Where applicable, analysis is undertaken by

laboratories accredited by the National Association of Testing

Authorities. All data forms part of the ESR.

Monitoring locations, frequencies, procedures and parameters

are reviewed annually and may change in response to local

conditions or monitoring program reviews. Any change is

undertaken in consultation with the AEO.

Future monitoring is identified under the five year plans in

Sections 5-16.

Figure 6: environMent, Cultural and Heritage signiFiCant sites


4SECTION 4

environmentalAttributes• the environmental management attributes

addressed in this aes include:

– Water

– land

– Biodiversity

– air Quality and emissions

– noise

– Hazardous Materials

– Waste

– resource use

– Cultural Heritage

– development

– tenants

– Community

SECTION 4

environmentalAttributes

This chapter describes how the current strategy is

structured with respect to individual environmental

attributes relevant to ASA.

Key ObjectivesKey objectives will be identifi ed to guide the management

of each specifi c environmental attribute over the fi ve year

strategy period. Achievement towards each objective will

be measured and reported to DITRDLG within the Annual

Environment Report.

Objectives have been developed to facilitate continuous

improvement in environmental management, as well to reduce

extant pollution at Alice Springs Airport.

Goals of this AES were developed and prioritised based on a

risk assessment approach using ASA’s EMS Risk Management

Matrix based on the AS/NZS 4360:2004. The Matrix was

used to classify targets as having a high or lower priority. High

priority targets will generally be completed within the fi rst

two years of the AES period, before December 2011. Lower

priority targets will be completed before the end of this AES

period in 2014. Ongoing actions such as soil and water quality

monitoring will be given priority each year.

Where possible the timeframes for actions have been spread

out over the coming fi ve years to avoid creating unrealistic

workloads at any one time that could otherwise hamper

achieving goals on schedule.

BaCKground

This section presents general information on each specifi ed

environmental management attribute at ASA. Detail is provided,

where appropriate on:

•defi nition: as defi ned by Airport legislation

•overview: an overview of the attribute

•Legislative requirements and Guidelines: highlighting

responsibilities, and requirements under relevant airport

legislation or other applicable legislation or guidelines

sourCes oF environMental iMPaCt

This section outlines potential and actual environmental

impacts that have been identifi ed, including current signifi cant

sources of impact and prioritising sources of potential

environmental impacts that may become prominent in the

future. Both on and off-site impacts resulting from airport

activities are identifi ed.

Current ManageMent PraCtiCes

This section includes details on any current monitoring

program, reporting, initiatives, and management approaches to

minimise the risk of environmental impacts.

reCent aCHieveMents

Actions which have progressed environmental management

at the Airport over the period 2004 – 2009 are listed in this

section. Those which realised targets from the 2004 AES, or are

in addition to those targets, are noted.

AcHievementdAte

AcHieved2004 Aes tArGet

e.g. development of risk analysis of Potential for groundwater Contamination

2007/2008 Yes

e.g. Historical review of water quality monitoring data

2005/2006 additional achievement

Five Year aCtion Plan

For each attribute, a fi ve year action plan has been developed

with the specifi c intention of ensuring the objective is achieved

within identifi ed time frames. Each action plan contains targets

for:

•Proposed studies, reviews and monitoring; and

•Proposed measures for preventing, controlling or reducing

identifi ed environmental impacts.

HiGH LeveL ActionsPeciFic tArGet to

be AcHievedWHen

e.g. reduction of energy use Completion of energy effi ciency Plan

By 2011


5SECTION 5

WaterKeY oBJeCtives

• ensure minimal impact on surface water and

groundwater quality as a result of alice springs

airport operations.

• Maintain airport water quality within acceptable

limits, as defi ned by legislative standards.

SECTION 5

Water

BaCKground

defi nitionUnder the Regulations, water is defi ned as marine, estuarine or fresh, and includes a body of water, a natural watercourse, a swamp or wetland, groundwater and water in a channel, drain, pipe or other artifi cial holding facility (unless it is water in a system for the passage of sewage, or for the passage or trapping of pollution).

The Regulations deem that water pollution has occurred when waters contain a substance or organism that causes, or is reasonably likely to cause, the physical, chemical or biological condition of the waters to be adversely affected; or that causes, or is reasonably likely to cause, an adverse effect on benefi cial use of the waters. Pollution can include substances dissolved in the water, held in suspension, as particulate matter, as material fl oating on the water surface or it may exist as sediment.

Waste water (sewage effl uent) is dealt with in Section 11 of this AES (Waste).

overviewASA falls within three broad policy zones for water management in the Alice Springs Water Control District (Alice Springs Water Resource Strategy 2006 – 2015 [ASWRS]). These are described in Table 2 below and Figure 7.

taBle 2: Water ManageMent zones relevant to aliCe sPrings

broAd PoLicy Zone mAnAGement Zones dePtH* (m) AirPort (%) deveLoPment restrictions

surface Water lower Catchment 0 m 100% none

groundwater (alluvial) outer Farm Basin 12 - 60 m 100% none

groundwater (amadeus Basin)

roe Creek - goyder & shannon Formations(low yielding aquifers)

<125 m 35%none

roe Creek - Pacoota sandstone(high to moderate yielding aquifer)

<125 m 15% residential industrialFeed lots

roe Creek - Mereenie aquifer system(high yielding aquifer)

125 m 15%

*depths are estimated from information provided in the asWrs

Groundwater at ASA is complex and constitutes three, deep

Amadeus Basin Aquifers and one, shallower alluvial aquifer at

about 60 metres depth. Alice Springs is entirely dependent on

groundwater for its water supply. Town water is currently drawn

from Roe Creek Borefi eld. The borefi eld predominantly extracts

water from the Mereenie Aquifer System, of which a small

proportion is located 125 metres under the south

western corner of the Airport. The NT Government has

earmarked an aquifer beneath the northern half of ASA as a

potential, additional water source. ASA is zoned for aquifer

protection under the ASWRS, the Alice Springs Land Use

Structure Plan 1999 and Land Use Objectives, and subsequent

NT Planning Scheme. Figure 7 shows the location of the NT

Government bores located on airport and its surrounds. ASA

does not monitor groundwater in these bores due to the depth

of groundwater.

There are no permanent, naturally occurring waterbodies within

the ASA site. However, there are two ephemeral waterways

located close to the Airport boundary, the Todd River and Roe

Creek (see Figure 7). The Todd River lies to the north east,

approximately fi ve kilometres from the terminal. The river drains

to the south east and is not linked to surface drainage channels

that may be impacted on by aviation related use. The southerly

fl owing Roe Creek is located to the south west of the Airport on

the western side of the Old South Road.

A network of open stormwater drains collect runoff from hard

stand areas across the Airport as well as treated waste water

from a number of operators. These drains fl ow to the south east

and generally evaporate before reaching receiving waterways/

waterbodies.

The south easterly fl owing Roe Creek fl oods out south of the

airport and under extreme fl oods may reach the Todd River east

of the Airport. Drainage depressions from St Marys Creek cross

the airport site with historic connections to the Todd River east

of the Airport.


Legislative requirements and GuidelinesRelevant acts and guidelines include:

•Airports (Environment Protection) Regulations 1997;

•NT Water Act 2008;

•NT Worksafe Guideline - Fuel Storage Tanks;

•Alice Springs Water Resource Strategy 2006 - 2015;

•Australian and New Zealand Environment Conservation

Council guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality.


Operational activities have the potential to impact upon water

quality at the Airport. Potential sources of impact include:

•Leakage from above or below ground fuel storage tanks;

•Spills of toxic or hazardous material;

•Aircraft and vehicle wash down in areas lacking

appropriate pollution containment measures;

•Incorrect usage of chemicals, including pesticides and

herbicides;

•Historical sources of pollution, such as the practice of using

hydrocarbons for dust suppression;

•Excess fertiliser use or sewage spills; and

•Litter and sediment.


Fuel storage tanksAll fuel storage tanks and hydrant systems at ASA are subject

to regularly inspected for leaks and to ensure compliance with

NT Worksafe standards. The majority of Underground Storage

Tanks at ASA have integrity monitoring systems installed to

immediately detect leaks. All fuel tanks are recorded on the ESR

for ASA.

Hazardous substance spillsSpills at ASA are managed through a Standard Operating

Procedure on spill response. Spill training is provided to airport

tenants to ensure that relevant personnel at ASA can rapidly

and appropriately respond to spills.

Washdown ActivitiesThere are no designated wash down area for vehicles or aircraft

and cleaning of aircraft occurs either on the apron or inside

hangar facilities.

stormwater drain monitoring ProgramASA undertakes biannual monitoring of all stormwater drains

at risk of contamination from Airport operations. More frequent,

scheduled stormwater monitoring is not possible at ASA as,

due to low rainfall and high evaporation, the stormwater drains

rarely contain adequate volumes of water as required for

analysis. Sediment samples are instead collected and analysed

biannually from areas within the drains considered to be at risk

of contamination. Levels of nutrients and contaminants found

within the sediment samples are compared against Schedule 3

of the Airports (Environment Protection) Regulations 1997. To

date, results from the monitoring program indicate that there

are no significant contamination issues within the stormwater

drains. Should contaminant levels in sediment breach Airport

Regulation limits, investigatory action occurs to determine the

appropriate response measure and associated impact on the

receiving environment.

Groundwater monitoringGroundwater quality for the airport is not monitored by ASA

due to the excessive depth of the water table and the negligible

chance that Airport operations will have an adverse impact

on aquifers. Monitoring bores exist within and adjacent to

the Airport, and these are managed and maintained by NT

Government.

reCent aCHieveMents

Actions which have progressed water management at ASA in

the period 2004 – 2009 are detailed in the following table.

Those which realised targets from the 2004 AES are noted.

AcHievements dAte AcHieved 2004 Aes tArGet

review of the stormwater drain Monitoring Program, including updated database, reporting and summary information.

2007 - 2008 Yes

development of the stormwater drain standard operating Procedure.

2007 - 2008 Yes

Completed Phase 1 – aquifer risk assessment for alice springs airport

2006 - 2007 Yes

implementation of water management training and audits for airport tenants.

2004 - 2005 Yes


HiGH LeveL Action sPeciFic tArGet to be AcHieved WHen

Surface and Groundwater Protection • documented risk assessments for identified projects and developments as an ongoing commitment.

• improved understanding of groundwater conditions at asa, through consultation with the nt government on airport bore data.

• development of a groundwater Management Plan and incorporation of the Plan into the asa development guidelines.

• Feasibility assessment for a designated wash down facility on airport.• implementation of stormwater drain Monitoring program.• investigate effectiveness of existing pollution control devices.• Continually improve airport operator’s/tenant’s understanding of water quality

issues and objectives.

ongoing

By 2011

By 2012

By 2013ongoingBy 2010ongoing

Figure 7: Water Plan


6SECTION 6

LandKeY oBJeCtives

• employ land management practices which facilitate

safe and sustainable operations, whilst minimising

detrimental effects on the airport site, neighbouring

land and the atmosphere.

• ensure that existing contaminated sites are

monitored and remediated where necessary.

SECTION 6

Land

BaCKground

defi nitionLand refers to the ground or soil, and encompasses

geographical features of ASA.

The Airports (Environmental Protection) Regulations 1997

deem that soil pollution has occurred when a substance has,

or is likely to have, an adverse impact on the chemical or

biological condition of land or groundwater.

overviewLand management at the Airport encompasses the prevention/

minimisation of erosion, sedimentation, contamination and

airborne dust (fi ne sands). Airborne dust may compromise the

safety of aircraft, personnel and may also degrade the quality of

the natural environment. Soil contamination is a potential risk

as hazardous materials are stored and used as part of normal

Airport operations.

The Airport is situated on the Todd River fl oodplain, an alluvial

basin fi lled by the deposition of materials eroded from the

MacDonnell Range. Broad soil types at the airport consist of

red sandy clay, clayey sands or sandy clay loam to depths

exceeding 250 metres. Tracts of sand are scattered throughout

the landscape and low sand ridges within the Airport site are

typically generated from Aeolian (wind blown) material. The

nature of the soil and land types at the Airport mean the site is

at risk of erosion, sheet fl ooding and inundation.

Previous land uses at the Airport included cattle grazing,

market gardens, a piggery and cattle yards. Upon acquisition

of the site by Airport authorities in 1940, pastoral operations

were abolished and the Airport boundary was fenced to

allow vegetation to regenerate without disturbance. The NT

Government conducted revegetation trials in the 1960’s which

resulted in establishment of Buffel Grass (Cenchrus Ciliaris)

to the south, west and northwest of the runways. Buffel Grass

has now spread to the majority of airport lands and has been

important in reducing airborne dust at the airport. Buffel Grass

does, however, produce a higher fuel load than native grass

species and has therefore raised concerns in regard to fi re

hazard risk and biodiversity (see Section 7 – Biodiversity).

ASA falls within a gazetted land portion for dust suppression under

the NT Soil Conservation and Land Utilisation Act 2008. 1036

hectares of the Airport site is zoned as a dust suppression buffer

under the Airport Master Plan and cannot be used for any purpose

which may affect soil stability. The remainder of undeveloped land,

approximately 1990 hectares, is zoned for various uses under

the Master Plan, including residential, commercial, tourism, and

horticultural developments.

Northeast of the airport terminal is a zoned borrow pit quarry,

which has been used as a source of sand material during previous

runway construction and upgrade projects. A section

of the quarry is used as a green waste disposal area for ASA

ground staff.

Legislative requirements and Guidelines•Airports (Environment Protection) Regulations 1997;

•Assessment of Site Contamination National Environment

Protection Measure (NEPM) 1999;

•Soil Conservation and Land Utilisation Act 2008;

•NT Bushfi res Act 2004;

•NT Bushfi res Regulations 2005;

•Alice Springs Land Use Plan 1999;

•Northern Territory Planning Scheme.


Environmental impacts on land at ASA include:

•Soil erosion, caused by wind or water and associated dust

production;

•Fire (natural and prescribed regimes) creating bare soil more

susceptible to erosion;

•Contamination through accidental spills, leaks of hazardous

substances or use of unapproved fi ll;

•Incorrect disposal of waste materials;

•Land clearing activities; and

•Construction activites



soil management and monitoringA range of measures are implemented by ASA to manage soil

erosion:

•Natural regeneration of native vegetation is encouraged in

undeveloped areas of the Airport site;

•Airport boundary is fenced to exclude cattle and

recreational vehicles;

•Exposed airside topsoil is overlain with crushed rock for

dust suppression;

•Land clearing activities are subject to approval from the

AEO and ABC, in accordance with relevant legislation;

•Incorporation of dust control measures into requirements

for the development approval process; and

•Erosion Monitoring Program measuring rates of erosion/

deposition in drainage lines;

•In flood prone areas, fire breaks are slashed and not graded

to prevent erosion.

Fire managementASA implements a Fire Management Plan for ASA, developed

in conjunction with the NT Bush Fires Council in 2006 and

further reviewed in 2009. Fire management strategies involve

slashing fire breaks to fragment dense fuel load areas and

provide access for emergency fire crews. Agisting camels at

the airport and using patch burning techniques have served to

decrease fuel loads in fire prone portions of the airport.

In addition, only native plants which have low flammability are

used for revegetation/landscaping.

contaminated LandIn 2008, ASA completed remediation of all sites listed in

the 2004-2009 AES, and removed these from the ASA

Contaminated Site Register.

Role specific training for ASA operators and tenants, to assist

in the minimisation and management of contamination, is

implemented. This includes Spill Response and Management,

and Chemical Hazard Management training.

reCent aCHieveMents

Actions which have progressed land management at ASA in the

period 2004 - 2009 are detailed in the following table. Those

which realised targets from the 2004 AES are noted.


review and update of the soil erosion Monitoring database 2007/2008 Yes

removal of a large number (100+) of stored bitumen drums to reduce potential soil contamination.


no new sites identified as contaminated or added to the Contaminated sites register. 2007/2008 Yes

alignment of the soil erosion Monitoring program with a griffith university Phd project including increased monitoring and the installation of wind vane samplers.


development of a Fire, Weed and erosion Condition report to identify priority management options.


implementation of patch burning to prevent uncontrolled wildfire and to protect vegetation. 2006/2007 Yes

development of asa Fire Management Plan, including Fire Potential assessment component.

2005/2006 and reviewed in 2009

Yes



Minimise soil erosion across ASA • Continue to implement the erosion Monitoring Program and analysis of erosion/deposition trends.

• Continue partnership with griffith university investigating erosion/dust within arid australia to obtain expert interpretation of soil erosion data through comparison of results on a regional scale.

• Continue to implement dust control measures as part of development and Project environment Management Plans

• revegetation of erosion prone areas.• Map erosion control sites/measures for inclusion in the esr.

ongoing

ongoing

ongoing

ongoingBy 2013

Implement best practice fire management

• Continue to implement fire and weed management techniques to minimise the risk of unmanaged wildfires.

ongoing

Maintain Contaminated Site Register

• review the Contaminated site register to ensure best management practices in alignment with industry standards.

By 2012


7SECTION 7

biodiversityKeY oBJeCtives

• in accordance with relevant legislation, protect rare

and endangered species, natural habitats, fl ora and

fauna wherever practicable, through sustainable

management practices.

• Minimise the rate and risk of bird and other animal

aircraft strikes whilst also

minimising negative impacts on wildlife.

• Comply with animal ethics legislation and

guidelines when undertaking wildlife

management activities.

SECTION 7

biodiversity

BaCKground

defi nitionBiodiversity generally describes the number and variety of

species of plant and animal life within a given area. Biodiversity

can be a measure of the health of an ecosystem, with healthy

ecosystems generally having greater variety and variation in

plant and animal life than unhealthy ones.

overviewASA occupies 3550 hectares, comprising Acacia shrubland,

open woodland and grasslands. Aviation related use is centred

on the property (airside land), covers approximately 560

hectares and is bounded by a security fence. The remainder of

the property (landside) is largely undeveloped and is separated

into several ‘low impact’ zones (i.e. tourism, conservation, rural

residential) and a dust suppression buffer in order to preserve

and promote the establishment of vegetation.

ASA has undertaken numerous biological surveys of the Airport

site. Appendix 2 describes the outcomes of these surveys and

lists all identifi ed species of fl ora and fauna identifi ed on the

Airport site, including details of any species of conservation

signifi cance, those listed under International agreements and

any pest species. The vegetation types are described on

Figure 8.

Legislative requirements and Guidelines•Airports Act 1996;


•Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation

Act 1999;

•NT Weeds Management Act 2001;

•NT Weeds Management Regulation 2006.


Airport activities which may impact upon fl ora and fauna

include:

•Clearing of vegetation for development and to comply with

obstacle limitation surface restrictions;

•Fire, including wildfi re and controlled burns;

•Fuel or chemical spills;

•Weed control activities (including patch burning and

herbicide use); and

•Aircraft noise and accidents.

Flora and fauna which may pose an environmental, health or

safety risk include:

•Birds and other animal strike risk;

•Pest animals including feral cats, rabbits and mosquitoes;

and

•Invasive weeds.


vegetation managementVegetation Management measures implemented at ASA include:

•Compliance with relevant NT and Commonwealth

legislation in all land clearing/development proposals;

•Development of Construction Environment Management

Plan’s for development projects, where appropriate;

•Implementation of ASA Landscaping Guidelines requiring

the use of native species for revegetation and landscaping

works; and

•Implementation of surveys and management plans if

potentially signifi cant disturbance to fl ora and fauna is

identifi ed.

ASA has developed an educational garden experience at the

Airport – the Anetyeke Garden – to raise awareness about

Central Australian ecological communities and associated

ecological processes. The signage was revamped in 2008/09

and was a fi nalist in the Commercial/Industry section of the

2009 Power Water Melaleuca Awards.

Noxious weeds are currently not a major issue at Alice Springs

Airport, and only one Weed of National Signifi cance has been

identifi ed. There are fi ve Class B weed species (classifi ed under

the NT Weeds Management Act 2001) known to exist within

the Airport in small populations. Legislative requirements

for Class B weeds identify that it is necessary to prevent the

growing and spreading of the declared weed. Weeds identifi ed

at ASA are listed in Appendix 2.

Intensive weed management programs are implemented

across the site and are conducted in conjunction with other

environmental programs such as fi re management and

regeneration works, to achieve an integrated approach.


The invasive, introduced species, Buffel Grass is generally

not part of ASA’s weed management activities at ASA, as it

performs a substantial soil stabilisation function. However,

Buffel Grass generates high fuel loads and has led to increased

fire hazard within the Airport. Additionally, hotter fires,

increased competition, and reduction in native fauna habitat

have impacted on native biodiversity. The control of Buffel Grass

is limited to sensitive habitat, such as the uncommon Coolabah

and Ironwood vegetation community and is generally carried

out in accordance with ASA’s Fire Management Program.

Pest AnimalsA range of measures are implemented to control pest animals

at ASA:

•Feral cats – managed under ASA’s ‘Bird and Animal Hazard

Management System’ (BAHMS).

•rabbits – mapping of active and inactive warrens,

fumigation of active warrens and monitoring of populations

to assess the efficacy of control measures.

•Mosquitoes – potential breeding sites are mapped,

removed if possible and monitored when necessary, in

accordance with climatic conditions. Stormwater drains are

maintained to minimise ponding and vegetation known to

harbour mosquitoes is not used for landscaping. The NT

Department of Health provides assistance with trapping

and monitoring where necessary.

•Camels - grazing is restricted to areas with dense ground

cover, north of the airfield.

bird and Animal strikeBirds are the most diverse group of vertebrates found within

the airport. Birds and wildlife in general, present a serious risk

to aircraft safety. Bird strikes cost the global airline industry

$1.2 billion US annually, and are considered one of the most

common causes of aviation accidents (Avisure 2009).

The risk of bird and animal strike at the Airport is managed

through implementation of the BAHMS. The main objective

of the BAHMS is to reduce bird and animal strike incidences,

using both active and passive management to discourage birds

and animals from utilising airside areas.

ASA recognise that bird and animal hazard management

requires a systematic approach, rather than focussing

individually on problem bird species. Bird presence is

influenced by available habitat, predators, water, food sources,

inter/intra-species behaviour and human interaction.

Ongoing bird and animal management activities undertaken by

ASA include:

•Bird observations and incident of strikes, subsequently

entered into a database;

•Bird and habitat identification training for Airport

Operations Officers;

•Dispersal activities including, bird frite’ cracker shells,

sirens, gunshot;

•Habitat modification, including maintaining optimal grass

height adjacent to runways;

•Ongoing reporting and stakeholder meetings to review the

implementation of the program; and

•Annual program auditing.

monitoring and researchTable 3 outlines ongoing ecological monitoring programmes that

are in place at ASA.

taBle 3: eCologiCal Monitoring PrograMs at

aliCe sPrings airPort.

monitorinG ProGrAm Frequency

rabbit Control and Monitoring Program as required, incident based fumigation

Feral Cat Control Program airport reporting officer observations and ongoing

reporting

Weed Monitoring annual

Fuel load assessment annual or following significant rain

Flora and fauna surveys every 3 to 5 years, or incident/development based

Mosquito control, trapping and monitoring

incident based

Bird and animal Hazard Monitoring daily observations, ongoing reporting

Camel impact Monitoring (proposed) Quarterly

Coolabah – ironwood Quarterly photo monitoring, condition assessment

ASA has supported, and continues to support research projects

in conjunction with Macquarie University as outlined below:

macquarie university desert Ant researchASA is a site for the Centre of Integrative Study of Animal

Behaviour – Macquarie University, Sydney, to study the

behaviour of Melophorus bagoti, a species of desert ant.

The study commenced in 2007 and contributes to an

international project which compares the navigational

behaviours of desert ants in North African (Cataglyphis), South

African (Ocymyrmex) and Australian deserts (Melophorus). The

Alice Springs Airport site provides a relatively uniform horizon in

which to test the factors which influence navigational behaviour.

To date, the study has identified that Melophorus bagoti shares

many characteristics with Cataglyphis. It is long-legged, active

in the heat of the day, and moves fast. However, their ecology

differs somewhat from that of Cataglyphis’s. The deserts of

Central Australia are richer in plant life, making it easier for

Melophorus bagoti to find dead insects for food. The research

has shown that they have an inbuilt navigation system, which

rivals the high-tech global positioning system. The ants are one

of few creatures to feed in daytime temperatures of up to 53

degrees celcius and their specialised physiology and behaviour

allows the ants to occupy a niche which enables them to avoid

competition and predation. Since the outdoor foraging lifetime

of the ants lasts only a couple of weeks, the young ants must

learn or adapt their navigational skills very quickly.

reCent aCHieveMents

Actions which have progressed biodiversity management at ASA

in the period 2004 – 2009 are detailed in the following table.



development of the Coolabah and ironwood Conditioned assessment and Management Plan.

2008/2009 Yes

implemented the Fire, Weed and erosion Condition assessment. 2008/2009 Yes

Joined the ‘land for Wildlife Program, providing another forum whereby asa staff can attend regular workshops to learn more about local flora and fauna.


updating of educational signage for the anetyeke garden. 2007/2008 Yes

involvement in Macquarie university research on the australian desert ant. 2006/2007 and ongoing Yes

Finalist for Commercial/industry section of the 2009 Power Water Melaleuca awards for the anetyeke garden project.

2009 additional achievement

Construction of an information ‘pod’ to inform airport staff and visitors about the native gardens.




Habitat protection • implementation of the Coolabah and ironwood Management Plan• utilise the findings of asa’s ecological monitoring programs to assess the

efficacy of management activities for land and development works.

ongoingongoing

Strike risk reduction • review and update BaHMs.• identify and monitor relevant bird attractors off-airport, in partnership with

relevant land owners.

ongoing ongoing

Weed management • develop a Weed Management implementation Plan.• development of a map to show priority areas for weed management.• develop and maintain a ‘restricted and prohibited’ species list that is included

in the development guidelines.

By 2011By 2010By 2010

Protection of fauna • Commence operations at ‘Baby Kangaroo rescue Centre’, based at asa. ongoing


Figure 8: vegetation tYPes


8SECTION 8

Air quality andemissionsKeY oBJeCtives

• Compliance with air quality standards as defi ned by

Commonwealth and northern territory regulations.

• Minimise air emissions from alice springs airport,

in particular greenhouse gases and ozone

depleting substances.

SECTION 8

Air quality and emissions

BaCKground

defi nitionThe Regulations deem that air pollution has occurred when a

pollutant is present in the air which is likely to cause harm to

the environment, unreasonable inconvenience is likely to be

caused to any member of the public, or to a person outside

the immediate vicinity of the pollutant source. Pollutants may

include:

•Particulate matter, including dust, smoke and soot;

•Gases and vapours including acids, oxides of nitrogen,

volatile organic compounds, halogen compounds, heavy

metal compounds, compounds of sulphur, ozone and

carbon monoxide; and

•Any substance causing an objectionable odour.

overviewASA experiences few issues with air quality or air pollution.

Complaints relating to air pollution from airport operations

are rare and are typically associated with one-off events such

as bush fi res or as a result of dust generated during fi rebreak

maintenance.

The principal source of emissions at the Airport is carbon

dioxide related to energy use in buildings, transport and fi xed

plant. Emissions from Airport operations are generally not

produced in quantities that can be considered signifi cantly

harmful or toxic to humans or to native fl ora and fauna in

the area.

As a member of the National Greenhouse Challenge

Plus Program, ASA has developed and implemented an

Air Emissions Inventory. Emissions monitoring has been

undertaken by ASA and annual emissions reports were

submitted. Generally, total air emissions produced do not

exceed the National Pollution Inventory trigger levels, for any

individual operation on Airport, nor for the Airport as a whole.

Legislative requirements and Guidelines Relevant acts and guidelines include:


•National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007;

•Ambient Air Quality National Environment Protection

Measure (NEPM) 1998.


Under the Regulations, air pollution may be from a stationary or

other source.

Stationary sources include:

•Emissions generated by auxiliary and ground power units;

•Boilers, turbines electrical generators and incinerators;

•Fuel burning equipment;

•Evaporation of VOCs from large storage tanks;

•Oil or gas fi red plant equipment; and

•Construction activities.

Other sources include:

•Ground based operations generating dust or smoke

(including black smoke emissions from fi re training);

•Ground based aircraft movements;

•Refuelling, de-fuelling and evaporation of Volatile Organic

Compounds (VOC’s) from spillage;

•Painting and paint stripping operations; and

•Cleaning operations using solvents.


Air quality monitoring is conducted by qualifi ed consultants

periodically and when required. Greenhouse gas emissions are

monitored through the Greenhouse Challenge Plus Program.

Under this program, a number of direct actions have been

implemented across ASA, including a review of airfi eld lighting

and plant equipment operation with the aim of reducing energy

consumption and greenhouse gas production.

Black smoke emissions are a result of necessary fi re training.

The impact is managed by limiting fi re training exercises

to outside the hours of major aircraft activity and informing

the ASA AEO before fi res are lit, through the Control Burn

Notifi cation Process.

Dust generation is managed through operational systems

aimed at minimising ground disturbance during construction

or other activities. This is done through such measures as

Construction EMP’s for development projects which address

dust suppression.


reCent aCHieveMents

Actions which have progressed air quality and emissions

management at ASA over the period 2004 – 2009 are detailed

in the following table. Those which realised targets from the

2004 AES are noted.


development of an air emissions inventory report for trend analysis and to monitor greenhouse gas emissions. this report provides baseline data for future emissions monitoring.

2007/2008 Yes

updating of greenhouse Challenge reporting in partnership with the Monash sustainability institute.

2007/2008 Yes



Manage and reduce emissions where practicable

• develop national gas and energy reporting system for corporate greenhouse emissions monitoring.

• Complete greenhouse Challenge Plus Program.• Continue air quality monitoring and reporting as required.

By 2010

By 2012ongoing


9SECTION 9

noiseKeY oBJeCtive

• ensure noise and vibration levels from ground

running aircraft and other alice springs airport

operations are compliant with relevant noise

exposure standards.

SECTION 9

noise

BaCKground

overviewSince ASA took over the lease for ASA in 1999, there have

been few noise complaints. This is largely due to the signifi cant

amount of undeveloped buffer zone surrounding the airport

and fl ight paths that generally avoid the urban centre of Alice

Springs. A recent Australian Noise Exposure Forecast study that

took into consideration current and future noise levels predicted

that noise is unlikely to become a signifi cant issue within the

medium term future of ASA.

Pollution or noise generated by aircraft during fl ight, landing,

taking off or taxiing is regulated under the Air Navigation

(Aircraft Engine Emissions) Regulations 1998 and the Air

Navigation (Aircraft Noise) Regulations 1984 and is not the

responsibility of the airport lessee company.

Legislative requirements and GuidelinesRelevant Acts and Guidelines Include:

•Airport Act 1996;

•Airport (Environmental Protection) Regulation 1997;

•Motor Vehicles Amendment Act 2003.


•Aircraft movement around the airport;

•Aircraft and vehicle maintenance;

•Pavement maintenance;

•Ground based operational activity.


Any noise complaints that are made to ASA are investigated,

and if required, noise monitoring is undertaken. Complaints are

responded to promptly. All noise complaints made are reported

to the AEO, as soon as practicable after the complaint is made

and are included in the AER.

In the event of major changes to Airport operations or

unprecedented increases in air traffi c volume, noise monitoring

is undertaken to ensure noise levels remain at non-nuisance

levels. ASA also evaluates the potential for noise generated by

airport operators to impact upon the sustainable running of new

developments, particularly residential developments.

In the absence of signifi cant noise complaints qualitative noise

monitoring continues to be conducted on an ongoing basis.

reCent aCHieveMents


no complaints in relation to engine ground noise or noise from other airport operations. 2007/2008 Yes

installation of new chillers to reduce plant noise. 2005/2006 Yes



Minimise complaints regarding ground running noise at ASA

timely investigation and response reporting on any complaints received• Continue noise monitoring program.• review ground running procedures.

ongoing

ongoing 2010


10SECTION 10

HazardousmaterialsKeY oBJeCtives

• Minimise the use of hazardous materials at

alice springs airport.

• Manage hazardous material storage, use and

disposal in a manner that minimises risk to the

surrounding environment.

SECTION 10

Hazardous materials

BaCKground

defi nitionDITRDLG defi nes hazardous materials as including:

•Various types of explosives;

•Flammable gases and liquids;

•Toxic substances; or

•Oxidising agents.

overviewAt the Airport hazardous materials, other than fuels and oils,

are rarely used in quantities that pose a signifi cant threat to

the environment and stringent regulations apply to their use

under Occupational Health and Safety laws. As a matter of

occupational health and safety, the Regulations do not examine

the storage and handling of hazardous materials and thus

Northern Territory Legislation applies.

Legislative requirements and GuidelinesApplicable acts and guidelines include:

•NT Dangerous Goods Amendment Act 2003

•NT Dangerous Goods (Road and Rail Transport) Act 2003

•NT Waste Management and Pollution Control Act 1998

•Code of Practice for the Management and Control of

Asbestos in Workplaces [NOHSC: 2018 (2005)]


Environmental impact may be caused by the following

incidents:

•Accidental hazardous material leaks or spills; and

•Hazardous material leakage or failure of the container

holding a hazardous material and/or a containment device.

The types of hazardous materials stored on site include, but are

not limited to:

•Fuel;

•Asbestos used in early construction;

•Hydrogen gas for weather balloons;

•Herbicides;

•Batteries and battery electrolytes;

•Paint and paint stripping products;

•Cleaning chemicals including acids and solvents; and

•Waste water containing acid and heavy metals from paint

stripping and aircraft maintenance.


Any waste water containing hazardous materials is treated on-

site using pollution control equipment and treated waste water

is discharged into the environment or to sewerage.

All tenants are required to maintain and refer to Material Safety

Data Sheets for chemicals they use on site. In addition, audits

of all chemical storage arrangements are conducted to ensure

operators and tenants comply with storage standards. Any

issues regarding hazardous materials identifi ed in these audits

are discussed with the operator. ASA has also implemented a

Self Auditing Program for airport operators and tenants to review

chemical storage arrangements and maintain awareness of the

appropriate management of hazardous materials. The results of

these audits are provided to the AEO for review.

ASA also maintains a hazardous materials register (Chemalert)

for its own lease holdings, which covers all hazardous materials

and products stored. An Asbestos Register is maintained for

ASA buildings with inspections in accordance with the National

Code of Practice.

Any incidents involving the spill or leakage of hazardous

materials are required to be reported in accordance with ASA’s

Spill Response Procedures.


reCent aCHieveMents

Actions which have progressed the management of hazardous

materials at ASA in the period 2004 – 2009 are detailed in the

following table. Those which realised targets from the 2004

AES are noted.


removal of wiring, lead and other hazardous materials. Materials were sold and money donated to charity.


development and roll-out of a tenant self auditing Program. 2006/2007 Yes

development of educational materials for tenants regarding spill management and training, as part of the eMP development program.

2006/2007 Yes

asbestos register developed and inspections conducted annually. 2007/2008 and ongoing Yes



Hazardous material reduction and monitoring

• Minimise the use of hazardous materials through ongoing awareness of impact to the environment.

• Continue the hazardous material storage inspection program.• develop an airport Hazardous Materials register.• Continued asbestos inspections and update of asbestos register.

ongoing ongoing By 2011ongoing

Spills and emergency response • review, update and disseminate spill response Procedures.• airport tenants to have appropriate clean up equipment and ensure staff are

aware of spill response Procedures.

By 2010 and ongoingongoing


SECTION 11

WasteKeY oBJeCtives

• Minimise waste production from all airport

operations and recycle waste products

wherever practical.

• ensure wastes are properly stored, transported and

disposed of. 11

SECTION 11

Waste

BaCKground

defi nitionWaste includes, whether or not it has a value or use:

(a) refuse in any form; and

(b) discarded or disused plant or equipment;

(c) an industrial byproduct.

Airports (Environmental Protection) Regulations (1997)

overviewWaste generated at the Airport can be defi ned as either solid,

liquid, recyclable, or hazardous.

•Solid waste includes offi ce waste, food and packaging,

green waste, construction and demolition waste;

•Liquid waste includes sewage effl uent and contaminated

runoff water;

•Recyclable materials include paper, glass, plastic, oil,

batteries, tyres; and

•Hazardous waste includes asbestos, chemical storage

containers, used chemicals.

Waste at the Airport is handled by local waste contractors

and general wastes are disposed of at the Alice Springs Town

Council Waste Disposal Site. As Alice Springs is geographically

isolated from major centres there is very limited scope for

recycling of general waste materials and has no curb-side

recycling collection.

Wastewater at the airport includes both sewage and runoff

water from airport operations including paint stripping, fi re

training exercises, aircraft and vehicle wash down. In order to

correctly dispose of wastewater the Airport has a sewer system

that is independent from that servicing the city of Alice Springs.


•National Environment Protection Measure - Movement of

Controlled Waste between States and Territories;

•Waste Management and Pollution Control Act 2007;

•NT Waste Management and Pollution Control Strategy

1995.


Environmental impacts at ASA, attributable to waste include:

•Incorrect disposal of solid waste by Airport operators,

contractors, tenants and users;

•Inadequate/inappropriate storage of waste oils, chemicals

and other hazardous waste materials;

•Waste water runoff from Airport operations such as

paint stripping, fi re training exercises, aircraft and vehicle

wash down;

•Spills and incorrect storage and disposal of sewage; and

•Illegal dumping of waste on Airport land.


Due to the limited recycling services available in the region,

the focus at Alice Springs Airport is on waste minimisation.

ASA encourages Airport tenants to adopt waste minimisation

strategies and promotes waste reduction through measures

such as limiting the use of packaging, reusing offi ce paper and

discouraging the use of disposable cups, plates and containers.

The types and volumes of waste produced by Airport tenants

are reviewed through the self-auditing process.

Historically, the illegal dumping of waste on the Airport site has

been an issue. Fencing erected by ASA at Airport boundaries

has reduced this, whilst also preventing stock and recreational

vehicles accessing the Airport site.

The Airport sewer system is a number of stand alone

septic systems as well as a larger system with a set of

evapotranspiration beds on the Airport site. These are

suffi ciently sized to meet current and projected demand in the

medium term. The system is monitored annually to ensure that

its capacity remains greater than the maximum potential input

into the system. The Airport size, evaporation rates and system

capacity ensure there is minimal risk of pollution of natural

waterbodies by waste water. A feasibility study undertaken

in 2008 to determine whether the water discharged from the

septic system to the evapotranspiration beds found that an

additional treatment would be required for potable water use.


reCent aCHieveMents


a ‘Waste Management’ chapter was incorporated into the tenant environmental Management Handbook.

2007/2008 Yes

Waste Management was incorporated into the tenant eMP audit database. 2006/2007 Yes

Money raised from the recycling of metals was contributed to charity. 2006/2007 additional achievement

Feasibility study of water re-use from the large septic system. 2007/2008 additional achievement



Waste reduction and monitoring • develop a Waste reduction Plan to identify and implement opportunities to reduce waste generation.

By 2010

Trade waste • align with black and grey water reuse standards.• Monitoring of the sewage system to ensure capacity exceeds maximum

potential input.

By 2012ongoing

Reuse and recycle • identify opportunities and implement recycling initiatives.• develop and implement procedures requiring contractors to segregate and

recycle construction waste wherever practicable.

By 2012By 2011

Resource use • identify opportunities to purchase environmentally responsible products, By 2011 and ongoing

Awareness • Promote awareness of waste management. ongoing

Asbestos • ensure all asbestos waste is removed in accordance with the asbestos Code of Practice.

ongoing

Hazardous Waste • ensure all hazardous waste is removed by a qualified and licenced contractor ongoing


12SECTION 12

resource useKeY oBJeCtives

• Minimise the use of non-renewable resources.

• increase effi ciency in the use of natural resources,

particularly energy and potable water.

• use renewable energy sources wherever practicable.

SECTION 12

resource use

BaCKground

defi nitionResource use is considered to be the use of energy, including

electricity, fossil fuel, and potable water. Ineffi cient or excessive

use of these resources contributes to some of the world’s most

pressing environmental problems, occurring on a national and

international scale.

overviewAlice Springs Airport requires signifi cant amounts of energy

in its day to day operations and energy costs are a major

component of Airport expenses. The Airport is connected to

the Alice Springs power grid, which is supplied by natural gas

fi red power plants. On site emergency power is provided via

diesel generators.

The management of water as a resource is particularly

pertinent as Alice Springs has the second highest rate of water

consumption per capita in Australia. The Airport is supplied

with water from an underground aquifer (from a bore fi eld

operated by the NT Government) which has a low rate of

recharge. It is projected that this bore can supply water to Alice

Springs for approximately another 50 – 100 years after which

an alternative supply will need to be sourced.



•National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007.


The environmental impact of energy and water consumption

may not be immediately evident but the misuse of both can

lead to signifi cant consequences on a local and global scale.

The main sources of energy consumption at the Airport include:

•Aircraft movement;

•Runway lighting;

•Control tower operations;

•Lighting, air-conditioning, power use and conveyor belts

within the terminal building and other buildings occupied

by ASA operators and tenants;

•Airside and landside vehicle movement including security

patrols, airport shuttle services and haulage vehicles.

Airport activities using signifi cant volumes of water include:

•Aircraft and vehicle washdown;

•Fire training activities;

•Water usage by airport customers;

•Garden maintenance.


ASA is committed to reducing water consumption at the Airport

and is conducting a study to identify methods to improve water

effi ciency. Preliminary outcomes of this investigation include

the identifi cation of several options for the treatment of black

water (from Airport septic systems), for use on Airport gardens.

ASA already minimises water usage through landscaping

requirements for native plants.

ASA has installed power factor correction equipment in

the Airport power distribution network to reduce energy

consumption across the Airport. ASA has also replaced all

airport fl eet vehicles with current energy effi cient models and

installed energy effi cient lighting within the terminal building

and reduced lighting wattage in appropriate areas. The airport

conducts ongoing monitoring of the Airport power consumption.


reCent aCHieveMents

Actions which have progressed resource management at ASA




investigation commenced into the installation and use of solar energy generators on airport land.

2008/2009 Yes

replacement of mains hot water systems with a solar unit to service public terminal areas. 2008/2009 additional achievement

Preliminary investigations into treatment of septic water for use on airport gardens. 2007/2008 additional achievement

investigation commenced to identify specific sustainability opportunities for the terminal. 2007/2008 additional achievement

investigation into terminal air conditioning efficiency and system upgrades which has improved efficiency and reduced energy consumption and emissions.


development of asa sustainability design Criteria to ensure sustainable design initiatives are incorporated into all projects and developments.


development of an electrical metering strategy for asa, including an energy audit, evaluation of power usage and the establishment of energy baselines.




Energy conservation • install a Co2 monitoring system that will allow the terminal air conditioning system to respond to occupancy levels.

• investigate further electricity metering of the asa site.• development of an energy efficiency Plan to:

– strategically plan the reduction of energy usage in asa managed and operational areas

– maximise energy efficiencies across the lease holding.

By 2010

ongoingBy 2011

Water conservation • development of a Water efficiency Plan to strategically plan the use of recycled/grey water and reduce consumption of potable water.

• Continue use of native species in landscaping across the lease holding.

By 2011

ongoing

Reduce resource use • Continue investigations into the feasibility of alternative sources of energy including natural gas, solar/wind energy, stormwater capture.

ongoing


13SECTION 13

cultural HeritageKeY oBJeCtives

• Preserve cultural heritage sites located at alice

springs airport.

• Formulate and implement appropriate management

procedures in the event new cultural heritage sites

are identifi ed.

SECTION 13

cultural Heritage

BaCKground

overviewindigenous cultural HeritageOne recorded Sacred Site of the traditional owners, the Arrernte

group, a sand hill, is located on the northern boundary, within

the ‘Milikom’ lease.

The locations of the Cultural Heritage sites can be seen in

Figure 6.

european HeritageThe heritage site is known as the Seven-Mile Aerodrome

and consists of a complex of buildings constructed in 1940.

These buildings formed the original Airport complex and

were constructed to service military and civilian operations

throughout the 1940’s. In 1965 a new terminal and fi re station

were opened to handle the increase airline traffi c. They were

replaced by the current buildings in 1991 to accommodate the

increased tourist traffi c to the Northern Territory however are

still intact and are currently occupied by airport staff or tenants.

Ongoing occupancy ensures the building are maintained

appropriately.


•NT Aboriginal Sacred Sites Act 1989;

•NT Aboriginal Act 1980;

•NT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection

Act 1984;

•Heritage Conservation Act 1991;

•Australian Heritage Commission Act 1975.


Potential impacts to heritage sites and artefacts as a result of:

•Disturbance of sites during development, landscaping or

fi re activities;

•Failure to identify sites;

•Accidental or malicious disturbance of sites;

•Non-compliance with development protocols;

•Biological causes such as termites, climate ravages of wind

and high temperatures.


The Seven-Mile complex is listed on the ASA’s Signifi cant

Sites Register. A management plan for this precinct has been

developed to ensure protection of the cultural heritage values

of the site and it is recognised as one of Australia’s most intact

airfi elds from the WWII period.

The recorded Sacred Site is also listed on the ASA Signifi cant

Site Register. AAPA has issued an Authority Certifi cate to

ASA identifying the management provisions for the sacred

site identifi ed. Works on future development will be stopped

immediately if culturally signifi cant artefacts are found and the

relevant authority informed. In the case a new indigenous or

heritage site is identifi ed the Signifi cant Site Register and the

Environment GIS will be updated.

reCent aCHieveMents

Actions which have progressed cultural heritage management

at ASA in the period 2004 – 2009 are detailed in the

following table. Those which realised targets from the 2004

AES are noted.


review of asa’s heritage requirements under the ePBC act. 2005/2006 Yes

development of a heritage component for asa’s ‘site rules’ documentation. 2005/2006 Yes



Cultural heritage awareness • ensure contractors and tenants understand their obligations under the ‘site rules’ documentation.

ongoing

Foster relationships with relevant community and heritage organisations

• Work cooperatively with traditional owners in the event cultural heritage sites or artefacts are suspected.

ongoing


14SECTION 14

developmentKeY oBJeCtive

• integrate environmental considerations into the

development of facilities and services and seek to

minimise their impact on the natural environment.

SECTION 14

development

BaCKground

overviewDevelopment and expansion is necessary for the Airport to

be able to respond to the increasing demands of travellers,

the aviation industry and Alice Springs. ASA understands the

importance of achieving a balance between development and

the maintenance and enhancement of environment values.


•Airports Act 1996;


•Airports (Building Control) Regulations 1996.


Development activities have the potential to impact upon each

of the different environmental attributes addressed throughout

this AES. Broadly, the likely sources of environmental impact

associated with each attribute during development include:

•surface Water, Groundwater and Land:

– alterations to the water table through excavation or fi ll/

material placement;

– contamination by hazardous material spills or

inappropriate treatment of construction water prior to

release;

– inappropriate sediment and erosion control structures

resulting in increased sediment loads in water courses;

– downstream impacts off airport from airport

stormwater management;

•Waste - increase volume of waste generated from

increased activity

•Flora – vegetation clearing, introduction of disease

and weeds through inadequate management of tyres,

equipment and footwear;

•Fauna – accidental chemical spills, death or injury by

machinery and habitat loss through vegetation clearing.

•noise – produced by mobile plant and their reverse

warnings, power tools, site clearing and earthworks;

•Air quality – the movement of mobile plant on disturbed

ground has a high potential to create dust and exhaust

fumes;

•cultural Heritage – inadequate awareness of the potential

for cultural heritage sites and artefacts could lead to the

destruction or damage of known cultural heritage sites; and

•resource use - increase demands for resources e.g energy,

water and construction materials.


ASA has developed a range of initiatives aimed at minimising

the impacts of development at ASA:

•Contractors performing major works or those with potential

to cause environmental harm are required to prepare a

Construction EMP (CEMP) and are required to go through

the development approval process;

•Potential developments will be assessed against data

entered into the ESR to determine potential impacts upon

sensitive areas;

•In the event that major developments are proposed in areas

of intact native habitat on Airport land, a fl ora and fauna

survey will be conducted before construction begins and

management options assessed; and

•Work on developments will be stopped immediately if

suspected culturally signifi cant/heritage artefacts are found

and the relevant authority informed.


reCent aCHieveMents

Actions which have progressed the management of

development projects at ASA in the period 2004 – 2009 are

detailed in the following table. Those which realised targets

from the 2004 AES are noted.


Commencement of the high voltage ring main electrical upgrade, including the development and implementation of a CeMP.

2007/2008 additionalachievement

expansion of the Murray river north site in with the existing environmental Management Plan.


significant asbestos removal was undertaken as part of expansion and refurbishment of the seven-Mile complex.


development of new native gardens in the long term and staff car parks. 2007/2008 Yes

development of a new hire vehicle wash bay, vehicle storage and office area. 2007/2008 additionalachievement

alice springs airport runway asphalt overlay Project nominated for the category 3 Civil Constructors Federation (CCF) awards 2009.




Implement relevant ASA plans and strategies to minimise the impact of development projects across the ASA site

• ensure all asa operators, tenants and contractors are appropriately inducted and trained.

• Maintain and update all relevant plans and strategies to ensure adherence to best practice by asa operators, tenants and contractors.

• ensure all relevant plans and strategies are available to asa operators, tenants and contractors.

• ensure new developments incorporate sustainability design.• encourage tenants to use energy efficient building design and use of efficient

technologies through the building and development approval process.

ongoing

ongoing

ongoing

2010, ongoingongoing


15SECTION 15

tenantsKeY oBJeCtive

• Work in partnership with alice springs airport

tenants and operators to ensure best environmental

practice continues to be implemented in all

airport operations.

SECTION 15

tenants

BaCKground

overviewThere are 75 listed tenants at ASA. Lease terms vary between

one and 40 year periods. Of these, 30 do not have staff

regularly on site.

The nature of tenant activities carried out varies widely but most

relate to airport functions such as freight handling, car rental,

aircraft maintenance, charters and retail concessionaires.


The environmental impact arising from tenants depends on the

nature of their tenancy and the activities, however the following

are examples of activities (and not limited to) that cause impact

to the environment:

•Resource usage

•aircraft and vehicle washdown

•waste production

•accidental hazardous materials leaks or spills


The ALC and all operators of any undertakings at the Airport

are legally required to take all practicable steps to meet the

requirements outlined in the AES. This includes any airport

based business, tenants or contractors. Environmental

management is ultimately the responsibility of all staff, tenants

and contractors at the Airport.

Tenants are required to report to ASA in relation to their

environmental obligations. ASA in turn submits this information

on an operational level to the AEO and submits this information

to the DITRDLG in the Annual Environment Report.

Awareness raising and input from ASA tenants is conducted

through the development of the Tenant Environmental

Management Handbooks and audits.

Airport tenants are also invited to join the local committee

which review the ASA BAHMS. This provides tenants

with another forum to view ASA’s ongoing commitment to

environmental management and allows for tenants to put

forward their own views and ideas.

reCent aCHieveMents


tenant environmental Management Handbook made available on asa website. 2007/2008 Yes

development of ‘touchdown’ – a asa newsletter for tenants and staff used as a forum to educate and communicate with tenants.


development of a web based tenant eMP package to enable self-auditing of operations. 2006/2007 Yes



Continual improvement in the training of, and communication with ASA tenants

• undertake environmental awareness Forums to provide a forum for open communication between asa operators and tenants.

• encourage implementation of tenant eMP and conduct training when necessary.

• regularly update and disseminate ‘touchdown’.• investigation and improvement of the means taken to engage with tenants.

annually

ongoing

ongoing


16SECTION 16

communityKeY oBJeCtives

• Maintain and increase the involvement of alice

springs community groups in the development and

implementation of local environmental initiatives

through the promotion of positive relationships.

SECTION 16

community

BaCKground

Alice Springs Airport is located within the Alice Springs

Municipal Planning Area. With a population of approximately

28,000 people, Alice Springs is the only major population

centre within a large area of the Territory.

Alice Springs Airport provides this remote community with a

vital health and social link, facilitating access to the rest of

Australia and providing a base for essential services.


ASA maintains support to the community through provision of

sponsorship to a number of local clubs and sporting groups

as well as remaining an active member of local industry and

environmental organisations.

ASA fosters ongoing, positive working relationships with Airport

operators and tenants to ensure the objectives of the AES are

met. These links also provide an independent perspective

on how the community views ASA’s achievements and

management practices.

ASA acknowledges the signifi cant contribution of the Arrernte

people to the community of Alice Springs and continues

to foster a positive relationship with the local indigenous

community. Traditional Owners are fully consulted in relation to

any aspects of Indigenous heritage identifi ed on site.

research nAsA / university of new south Wales Astronomy,Astrophysics and Atmospheric Physics researchNASA and the University of New South Wales (UNSW) are

working in partnership to carry out research into astronomy,

astrophysics and atmospheric physics. The ASA site has been

used since 1974.

Helium fi lled balloons carrying a scientifi c payload are launched

from the research site to gather atmospheric data which is sent

by radio link to Alice Springs, Western Australia or Queensland.

The balloons and payloads are recovered by parachute at the

end of each fl ight.

A major NASA campaign is scheduled for late 2009, when

even larger payloads will be launched.

reCent aCHieveMents

Actions which have progressed community engagement at ASA



AcHievement dAte AcHieved 2004 Aes tArGet

Construction of a new facility to increase the capacity of the nasa/unsW Balloon launching station.


Became ‘land for Wildlife’ members and featured in the land for Wildlife newsletter. 2007/2008 additional achievement

sponsorship of the ‘desert impressions award 2007’, for wearable art. 2007/2008 additional achievement

ongoing involvement in research projects with Macquarie university and nasa. 2007/2008 Yes

involvement in ‘Clean up australia day’. 2006/2007, ongoing Yes

Finalist in Melaleuca awards 2009 for energy and water Conservation demonstrated by anetyeke gardens.




Build partnerships • ongoing liaison with local community/residents groups, traditional owners, research partners and land for Wildlife.

• Continued involvement in ‘Clean up australia day’.

ongoing

annually

Support environmental activities and causes

• include environmental activities in the Corporate giving Program, asa’s charitable donation program.

By 2014


SECTION 17

Acronyms andGlossary 17

SECTION 17

Acronyms andGlossary

aCronYMs

aaPa Aboriginal Area Protection Authority

aBC Airport Building Controller

adg Airport Development Group Pty Ltd

aeo Airport Environment Offi cer

aes Airport Environment Strategy

aer Airport Environment Report

alC Airport Lessee Company

aQis Australian Quarantine Inspection Service

asa Alice Springs Airport Pty Ltd

asWrs Alice Springs Water Resource Strategy 2006 –

2015

azri Arid Zone Research Institute

BaHMs Bird and Animal Hazard Management System

CeMP Construction Environment Management Plan

ditrdlg Department of Infrastructure, Transport,

Regional Development, and Local Government.

eMP Environmental Management Plan

eMs Environmental Management System

esr Environmental Site Register

ga General Aviation

JdsrF Joint Defence Research Facility

nasa National Aeronautics and Space Administration

nt Northern Territory

ntaPl Northern Territory Airports Pty Ltd

rPt Regular Public Transport

unsW University of New South Wales

voCs Volatile Organic Compounds

glossarY

PHrAse descriPtion

the act Airports Act 1996

the airport The area of Alice Springs

Airport leased by Northern

Territory Airports Pty Ltd.

airport Building Controller Person appointed by the

Commonwealth (DITRDLG)

to oversee building activity at

Alice Springs Airport.

PHrAse descriPtion

airport environment offi cer Person appointed by DITRDLG

to regulate the management of

environmental issues at Alice

Springs Airport.

airport operators and

tenants

The airport lessee company

(ASA) and all sublessees

and licensees, including

contractors, undertaking any

activity at Alice Springs Airport.

environmental attribute A component, function or

process of Alice Springs

Airport’s activities that may

impact on the environment.

environmental impact Any change to the

environment, whether adverse

or benefi cial, wholly or partially

resulting from activities at Alice

Springs Airport.

environmental

Management system

The system which defi nes

the processes and practices

Alice Springs Airport must

implement to manage its

environmental aspects.

It facilitates the ongoing

development, implementation,

review and improvement of

those procedures undertaken

to meet the environmental

goals of the organisation.

environmental objective Defi nes the goal or intent for

management of the Airport

environment and may be

quantifi ed by the achievement

of Environmental Targets.

environmental target A specifi c aim or goal, defi ning

a required outcome, to meet

a specifi ed Environmental

Objective.

alice springs airport

Pty ltd

The Airport Lessee Company.

the regulations Airports (Environment

Protection) Regulations 1997


SECTION 18

Appendices• aPPendiX 1: airport environment strategy –

legislative requirements

• aPPendiX 2: Flora and Fauna at

alice springs airport 18

SECTION 18

Appendices

aPPendiX 1

Airport environment strategy – Legislative requirementsthis aes has been prepared in accordance with the

Airports Act 1996 and the Airports (Environment Protection)

Regulations 1997 which specify elements that are to be

addressed within an aes. the table below provides a reference

guide to how each legislative requirement has been addressed

within this aes.

airPorts aCt 1996

LeGisLAtive requirement AirPort environment strAteGy reFerence

division 2 section 116

(2) the airport environment strategy must specify:

(a) the airport-lessee company’s objectives for the environmental management of the airport sections 3 - 14

(b) the areas if any which are identifi ed as environmentally signifi cant section 7: Biodiversity

(c) the sources of environmental impact associated with airport operations sections 3 - 14

(d) the studies, reviews and monitoring to be carried out by the airport section 3: environmental Management Framework

(e) time frames for completing those studies and reviews and for reporting on that monitoring

(f) the specifi c measures to be carried out by the airport for the purpose of preventing, controlling or reducing the environmental impact associated with airport operations

sections 3 - 14

(g) the time frames for completion of those specifi c measures sections 3 - 14

(h) details of the consultations undertaken in preparing the strategy. section 2: airports legislative Framework


airPorts (environMent ProteCtion) regulations 1997

LeGisLAtive requirement AirPort environment strAteGy reFerence

division 2

3.03 sites of indigenous significance section: environmental Management Framework

3.04 operations other than airport operations sections 3 - 14

3.05 environment management training section 3: environmental Management Framework

division 3

3.06 Management of airport site:

(a) Continuous improvement in the environmental consequences of activities at the airport sections 3 - 14

(b) Progressive reduction in extant pollution at the airport section 5: Watersection 6: landsection 8: air Quality and emissionssection 10: Hazardous Materials

(c) development and adoption of a comprehensive environmental management system for alice springs airport that maintains consistency with relevant australian and international standards

section 3: environmental Management Framework

(d) identification, and conservation, by the airport-lessee company and other operators of undertakings at the airport, of objects and matters at the airport that have natural, indigenous or heritage value

section 7: Biodiversity section 13: Cultural Heritage

(e) involvement of the local community and airport users in development of any future strategy section 2: airports legislative Framework

(f) dissemination of the strategy to sub-lessees, licensees, other airport users and the local community.

section 2: airports legislative Framework

3.07 identification of environmentally significant areas of airport site section 7: Biodiversity

3.08 identification of sources of environmental impact at airport:

(a) the quality of air at the airport site and how it affects the air shed section 8: air Quality and emissions

(b) Water quality including groundwater, estuarine waters and marine waters section 5: Water

(c) soil quality, already contaminated land section 6: land

(d) release into the air of substances that deplete stratospheric ozone section 12: resource use

(e) generation and handling of hazardous waste and any other kind of waste section 12: resource usesection 10: Hazardous Materials

(f) usage of natural resources section 12: resource use

(g) usage of energy the production of which generates emissions of gases known as ‘greenhouse gases’

section 12: resource use section 8: air Quality and emissions

(h) generation of noise section 9: noise

3.09 Proposed studies, reviews and monitoring – must address:

(a) the matters mentioned in regulations 3.03, 3.07 and 3.08 sections 3 - 14

(b) the scope, identified by the airport-lessee company, for conservation of objects and matters at alice springs airport that have natural indigenous or heritage value

section 13: Cultural Heritage

(c) the approaches and measures identified by the airport as its preferred conservation approaches and measures

sections 3 - 14

(d) the professional qualifications that must be held by the person engaged in carrying out the monitoring


(e) the proposed system of testing, measuring and sampling to be carried out for possible, or suspected pollution or excessive noise


(f) the proposed frequency of routine reporting of monitoring results to the airport environment officer (if any) for the airport, or to the secretary.


3.10 Proposed measures for preventing, controlling or reducing environmental impact:

(a) the matters mentioned in regulations 3.06, 3.07 and 3.08 sections: 3 - 14

(b) the means by which it proposes to achieve the cooperation of other operators of undertakings at alice springs airport in carrying out those plans.


division 4

3.11 How the airport will ensure that every person who is a sublessee or licensee of the airport will be made aware of the final environment strategy.


aPPendiX 2

Flora and Fauna at Alice springs Airport

vegetation types at AsAThere are six recognised vegetation types within Alice Springs

Airport. Of these, Vegetation Type 23 - Drainage depressions

with Coolabah and Ironwood - is considered rare within central

Australia. This habitat generally supports a higher diversity of

fauna species than others within the airport, and is vulnerable

to degradation by wildfire and camel browsing (Paltridge and

Latz 2003).

vegetation tYPes at asa

veGetAtion community tyPe APProximAte AreA in HectAres, And % oF AirPort AreA.

15a Witchetty Bush and ironwood on sandy-loam rises 880 ha 25 %

15b Witchetty Bush and Whitewood on sandy rises 135 ha 4 %

16 Mulga in valleys with red earth soils 39 ha 1 %

17a ironwood and Fork-leafed Corkwood woodland on alluvial flats 940 ha 26 %

17b ironwood and Fork-leafed Corkwood open woodland on alluvial flats 1331 ha 37 %

23 drainage depressions with Coolabah and ironwood 231 ha*47 ha

**105 ha

7 %*1.3%**3.3%

*ground truthed by Indicus Biological Consultants (2005)**ground truthed by EcOz Environmental Services (2009)

Flora sPeCies reCorded on site

FLorA

scientiFic nAme common nAme

Abutilon otocarpum desert Chinese lantern, desert lantern

Acacia aneura Mulga, Broad-leaved Mulga

Acacia estrophiolata ironwood, southern ironwood

Acacia farnesiana Mimosa Bush

Acacia kempeana Witchetty Bush

Acacia murrayana Colony Wattle, Murrays Wattle

Acacia tetragonophylla dead Finish, Kurara

Acacia victoriae acacia Bush, Bramble Wattle, victoria Wattle

Acetosa vesicaria* rosy dock, Wild Hops, ruby dock

Actinobole uliginosum Flannel Cudweed

Aerva javanica* Kapok Bush, snow Bush

Alternanthera denticulata

Alternanthera angustifolia narrow-leaf Joyweed

Amaranthus A96904 Alice Springs -

Amyema hilliana ironwood Mistletoe

Amyema maidenii Pale-leaf Mistletoe

Amyema preissii Wire-leaf Mistletoe

Aristida biglandulosa Cane grass three-awn, two-gland three-awn

Aristida contorta Bunched Kerosene grass, Mulga grass


FLorA


Aristida holathera erect Kerosene grass, White grass, arrow grass

Astrebla pectinata

Atalaya hemiglauca Whitewood

Atriplex elachophylla annual saltbush, saltbush

Atriplex humifusa spreading saltbush

Boerhavia coccinea tar vine

Boerhavia repleta -

Bothriochloa ewartiana desert Bluegrass

Brachycome ciliaris complex variable daisy

Brassica tournefortii* Wild turnip, turnip Weed, Mediterranean turnip

Calocephalus knappii Billybuttons

Calocephalus platycephalus Yellow Billybuttons

Calotis hispidula Bogan Flea, Bindyeye, Hairy Burr-daisy

Calotis latiuscula leafy Burr-daisy, Yellow-flowered Burr-daisy

Calotropis procera* rubber Bush, rubber tree, Calotrope, Kings Crown

Capparis mitchellii Wild orange, native orange, native Pomegranate

Capparis spinosa Caper Bush, Wild Passionfruit

Cenchrus ciliaris* Buffel grass

Cheilanthes lasiophylla Wooly Cloak Fern

Cheilanthes sieberi Mulga Fern, rock Fern

Chenopodium cristatum Crested goosefoot, Crested Crumbweed

Chenopodium melanocarpum Black-fruited goosefoot, Black Crumbweed

Chenopodium truncatum -

Chloris inflata* Purple-top Chloris, Purple-top rhodes grass

Chloris pectinata Comb Chloris

Chloris virgata* Feathertop rhodes grass, Furry grass

Chrysocephalum apiculatum small Yellow Button, Common everlasting

Chrysopogon fallax golden Beard grass

Citrullus colocynthis* Colocynth, Bitter Paddy Melon, Colocynth Melon

Citrullus lanatus* Paddy Melon, Pie Melon, Wild Melon, Camel Melon

Cleame viscosa tickweed, Mustard Bush

Convolvulus clementii -

Corymbia eremaea Mallee Bloodwood, Hill Bloodwood

Corymbia opaca Bloodwood

Crotalaria smithiana Yellow rattlepod

Cullen cinereum annual verbine

Cuscuta victoriana

Cymbapogon objectus lemon grass

Cynodon dactylon* Couch grass

FLorA


Cyperus involucratus* -

Dactyloctenium radulans Button grass, Finger grass, toothbrush grass

Dichanthium sericeum silky Bluegrass, Queensland Bluegrass

Digitaria brownii Cotton Panic grass

Digitaria coenicola umbrella grass, Finger Panic grass

Dissocarpus paradoxus Cannon-ball saltbush

Dodonaea viscosa ssp. angustissima desert Hopbush, sand sticky Hopbush

Einadia nutans (subsp?)

Einadia nutans subsp. nutans Climbing saltbush

Einadia nutans subsp. eremaea Climbing saltbush

Enchylaena tomentosa ruby saltbush

Enneapogon avenaceus native oat-grass, Bottlewashers

Enneapogon polyphyllus Woolly oat-grass, oat-grass, leafy nine-awn

Enteropogon acicularis Curly Windmill grass, umbrella grass, spider grass

Enteropogon ramosus Creek Windmill grass, Curly Windmill grass

Eragrostis barrelieri* Pitted lovegrass

Eragrostis cilianensis* stinkgrass

Eragrostis dielsii Mallee lovegrass

Eragrostis eriopoda Woollybutt grass, naked Woollybutt, never Fail

Eragrostis leptocarpa drooping lovegrass

Eremophila longifolia emu Bush, Weeping emu Bush

Eremophila macdonnellii splendid Fuchsia, Macdonnells desert Fuchsia

Eremophila sturtii turpentine Bush, sturts desert Fuchsia

Eriachne helmsii Woollybutt Wanderrie

Eriachne mucronata Mountain Wanderrie

Eucalyptus camaldulensis river red gum

Eucalyptus coolabah Coolabah

Eulalia aurea silky Browntop, sugar grass

Euphorbia drummondii Caustic Weed

Euphorbia hirta* asthma Plant, asthma Herb, snake Weed

Euphorbia tannensis Caustic Bush, desert spurge

Evolvulus alsinoides Blue Periwinkle, tropical speedwell

Fumaria parviflora var. parviflora

Fimbristylis dichotoma eight day grass, Common Fringe-rush

Glycine canescens silky glycine

Gnephosis arachnoidea erect Yellow-heads, golden Heads

Gomphrena celosioides* gomphrena Weed

FLorA


Goodenia heterochila serrated goodenia

Goodenia lunata Heavy-soil Hand-flower

Gossypium bickii low desert rose

Grevillea striata Beefwood

Hakea divaricata Fork-leaved Corkwood

Hakea leucoptera needlewood, needle Bush, needle Hakea

Hakea lorea long-leafed Corkwood

Haloragis aspera rough raspwort

Heliotropium cunninghamii Heliotrope

Indigofera colutea sticky indigo

Indigofera linifolia native indigo

Indigofera linnaei Birdsville indigo, nine-leaved indigo

Ipomoea polymorpha silky Cowvine

Ixiochlamys filicifolia -

Ixiochlamys nana small Fuzzweed

Jasminum didymum native Jasmine, Wild Jasmine

Jasminum _idymium var. lineare Jasmine

Lactuca serriola* Prickly lettuce

Lechenaultia divaricata tangled lechenaultia, Wirebush

Lepidium muelleriferdinandi Muellers Peppercress

Lepidium phlebopetalum veined Peppercress

Lotus cruentus red-flower trefoil, Pink-flower tefoil

Lysiana exocarpi subsp. Exocarpi Harlequin Mistletoe

Lysiana subfalcata Mistletoe

Maireana scleroptera annual Bluebush

Malva parviflora* small-flower Mallow

Malvastrum americanum* Malvastrum, spiked Malvastrum

Marsdenia australis Bush Banana, lungkwa, doubah

Medicago polymorpha* Burr Medic

Melia azedarach* White Cedar

Melinis repens* natal red top, red natal grass

Mollugo cerviana Fairy lights, Fairy Bells

Mukia maderaspatana Head-ache vine

Nicotiana megalosiphon long-flowered tobacco

Opuntia sp.* Cactus

Oxalis perennans -

Panicum decompositum s.lat. native Millet, native Panic, australian Millet

Paspalidium constrictum Knottybutt Paspalidium, slender Panic

Pittosporum angustifolium native apricot, Weeping Pittosporum, native Willow

Polycalymma stuartii Poached egg daisy

Portulaca oleracea Munyeroo, Pigweed, Purslane

FLorA


Pterocaulon sphacelatum apple Bush, Bush vicks

Ptilotus gaudichaudii Paper Foxtail

Ptilotus macrocephalus large green Pussy-tails, Feather Heads

Ptilotus nobilis Yellow tails

Ptilotus polystachyus long Pussy-tails

Ptilotus sessilifolius Crimson Foxtail, silver tails

Rhagodia eremaea tall saltbush

Rhagodia spinescens spiny saltbush, Hedge saltbush

Rhodanthe charsleyae small Yellow daisy, Charles daisy

Rhodanthe floribunda White Paper daisy, large White sunray

Rhodanthe stricta slender sunray

Rhodanthe tietkensii sand sunray, tiekens daisy

Rostellularia adscendens -

Rutidosis helichrysoides Mulga daisy, grey Wrinklewort

Salsola tragus Buckbush, rolypoly, tumbleweed

Santalum lanceolatum Plumbush, Wild Plum

Sauropus trachyspermus slender spurge

Sclerolaena convexula tall Copper Burr

Sclerolaena costata -

Sclerolaena lanicuspis Woolly Copper Burr

Sclerolaena sp. Copper Burr

Senecio cunninghamii Bushy groundsel

Senecio gregorii annual yellowtop

Senecio lautus s.lat. elegant Yellowtop, variable groundsel

Senecio magnificus Perennial Yellowtop

Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia desert Cassia, Broom Bush, Punty Bush

Senna artemisioides subsp. helmsii

Senna artemisioides subsp. sturtii grey Cassia

Sida ammophila sand sida

Sida cunninghamii -

Sida fibulifera silver sida, Pin sida

Sisymbrium erysimoides* smooth Mustard

Sisymbrium irio* london rocket

Solanum ellipticum native tomato, Potato Bush, Potato Weed

Solanum quadriloculatum Wild tomato, tomato Bush

Sonchus oleraceus* Milk thistle, Common sow-thistle

Stemodia florulenta Blue-rod

Stenopetalum nutans nodding thread-petal, spunk Weed

Swainsona oroboides variable swainsona

Swainsona phacoides dwarf swainsona, Woodland swainsona

Tamarix aphylla* athel Pine, tamarisk


FLorA


Tephrosia sphaerospora Mulga trefoil

Themeda triandra Kangaroo grass

Tragus australianus small Burr-grass, sock grass, tickgrass

Trianthema triquetra red spinach

Tribulus eichlerianus s.lat.* Bindieye

Tribulus terrestris s.lat. Cat-head, Caltrop, Bindieye

Trichodesma zeylanicum Cattle Bush, Camel Bush

Triodia pungens soft spinifex

Tripogon loliiformis Five-minute grass, rye Beetle grass

Triraphis mollis Purple Plumegrass, Purple Heads, needle grass

Urochloa piligera Hairy armgrass, Hairy summer grass

Ventilago viminalis supplejack, vine tree

Vittadinia dissecta var. hirta -

Wahlenbergia communis tufted Bluebell

Wahlenbergia tumidifructa tugid-fruited Bluebell

Wahlenbergia sp. Blue Bell

Xanthium spinosum* Bathurst Burr

Xerochrysum bracteatum golden everlasting

Zaleya galericulata ssp. galericulata Hogweed

Fauna sPeCies reCorded on site

birds

common scientiFic nAme

australasian Pipit Anthus novaeseelandiae

australian Bustard Ardeotis australis

australian Hobby Falco longipennis

australian Magpie Gymnorhina tibicen

australian owlet-nightjar Aegotheles cristatus

australian Pelican Pelecanus conspicillatus

australian Pratincole Stiltia isabella

australian raven Corvus coronoides

australian ringneck Barnardius zonarius

australian Wood duck Chenonetta jubata

Banded lapwing Vanellus tricolor

Banded Whiteface Aphelocephala nigricincta

Black Falcon Falco subniger

Black Honeyeater Certhiony1 niger

Black Kite Milvus migrans

Black-breasted Buzzard Hamirostra melanosternon

Black-eared Cuckoo Chalcites osculans

Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike Coracina novaehollandiae

Black-faced Woodswallow Artamus cinereus

Black-shouldered Kite Elanus axillaris

Bourke’s Parrot Neopsephotus bourkii

Brown Falcon Falco berigora

Brown goshawk Accipiter fasciatus

Brown Honeyeater Lichmera indistincta

birds


Brown Quail Coturnix ypsilophora

Brown songlark Cincloramphus cruralis

Budgerigar Melopsittacus undulatus

Channel-billed Cuckoo Scythrops novaehollandiae

Chestnut-rumped thornbill Acanthiza uropygialis

Cockatiel Nymphicus hollandicus

Collared sparrowhawk Accipiter cirrhocephalus

Common Bronzewing Phaps chalcoptera

Common greenshank Tringa nebularia

Crested Bellbird Oreoica gutturalis

Crested Pigeon Ocyphaps lophotes

Crimson Chat Epthianura tricolor

diamond dove Geopelia cuneata

eastern Barn owl Tyto javanica

Fairy Martin Hirundo ariel

Fork-tailed swift Apus pacificus

galah Cacatua roseicapilla

great egret Ardea modesta

grey Butcherbird Cracticus torquatus

grey Falcon Falco hypoleucos

grey Fantail Rhipidura albiscapa

grey Honeyeater Conopophila whitei

grey shrike-thrush Colluricincla harmonica

grey-crowned Babbler Pomatostomus temporalis

grey-fronted Honeyeater Lichenostomus plumulus

grey-headed Honeyeater Lichenostomus keartlandi

ground Cuckoo-shrike Coracina ma1ima

Hoary-headed grebePoliocephalus poliocephalus

Horsfield’s Bronze-Cuckoo Chalcites basalis

inland thornbill Acanthiza apicalis

Jacky Winter Microeca fascinans

little Button-quail Turnix velox

little Corella Cacatua sanguinea

little Crow Corvus bennetti

little eagle Hieraaetus morphnoides

long-billed Corella Cacatua tenuirostris

Magpie-lark Grallina cyanoleuca

Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo Cacatua leadbeateri

Masked lapwing Vanellus miles

Masked Woodswallow Artamus personatus

Mistletoebird Dicaeum hirundinaceum

Mulga Parrot Psephotus varius

nankeen Kestrel Falco cenchroides

oriental Pratincole Glareola maldivarum

Painted Finch Emblema pictum

Pallid Cuckoo Cuculus pallidus

Peaceful dove Geopelia placida

Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus

Pied Butcherbird Cracticus nigrogularis

birds


Pied Honeyeater Certhionyx variegatus

rainbow Bee-eater Merops ornatus

red-backed Kingfisher Todiramphus pyrrhopygia

red-browed Pardalote Pardalotus rubricatus

red-capped robin Petroica goodenovii

red-tailed Black-cockatooCalyptorhynchus banksii samueli

redthroat Pyrrholaemus brunneus

rock dove Columba livia

rufous songlark Cincloramphus mathewsi

rufous Whistler Pachycephala rufiventris

sacred Kingfisher Todiramphus sanctus

singing Honeyeater Lichenostomus virescens

slaty-backed thornbill Acanthiza robustirostris

southern Boobook Ninox novaeseelandiae

southern Whiteface Aphelocephala leucopsis

spiny-cheeked Honeyeater Acanthagenys rufogularis

splendid Fairy-wren Malurus splendens

spotted Harrier Circus assimilis

spotted nightjar Eurostopodus argus

square-tailed Kite Lophoictinia isura

straw-necked ibis Threskiornis spinicollis

striated Pardalote Pardalotus striatus

swamp Harrier Circus approximans

tawny Frogmouth Podargus strigoides

torresian Crow Corvus orru

tree Martin Hirundo nigricans

varied sittella Daphoenositta chrysoptera

variegated Fairy-wren Malurus lamberti

Wedge-tailed eagle Aquila audax

Weebill Smicrornis brevirostris

Welcome swallow Hirundo neo1ena

Western Bowerbird Ptilonorhychus guttatus

Western gerygone Gerygone fusca

Whistling Kite Haliastur sphenurus

White-backed swallow Cheramoeca leucosternus

White-breasted Woodswallow Artamus leucorynchus

White-browed BabblerPomatostomus superciliosus

White-browed Woodswallow Artamus superciliosus

White-faced Heron Egretta novaehollandiae

White-fronted Honeyeater Phylidonyris albifrons

White-necked Heron Ardea pacifica

White-plumed Honeyeater Lichenostomus penicillatus

White-winged Fairy-wren Malurus leucopterus

White-winged triller Lalage sueurii

Willie Wagtail Rhipidura leucophrys

Yellow-rumped thornbill Acanthiza chrysorrhoa

Yellow-throated Miner Manorina flavigula

zebra Finch Taeniopygia guttata

AmPHibiAns

common nAme scientiFic nAme

Main’s Frog Cyclorana maini

red tree Frog Litoria rubella

spencer’s Frog Opisthodon spenceri

trilling Frog Neobatrachus centralis

rePtiLes


Bandy-bandy Vermicella vermiformis

Beaked gecko Rhynchoedura ornata

Black-necked snake-lizard Delma tincta

Burton’s snake-lizard Lialis burtonis

Bynoe’s gecko Heteronotia binoei

Central Bearded dragon Pogona vitticeps

Central netted dragon Ctenophorus nuchalis

Centralian Blind snake Ramphotyphlops centralis

Centralian Blue-tongued lizard Tiliqua multifasciata

Centralian Carpet Python Morelia spilota

Crowned gecko Lucasium stenodactylum

desert lerista Lerista desertorum

Fat-tailed gecko Diplodactylus conspicillatus

Frost’s lerister Lerista frosti

grey’s Menetia Menetia greyii

Helen’s Ctenotus Ctenotus helenae

interior Blind snake Ramphotyphlops endoterus

King Brown snake Pseudechis australis

leonhardi’s Ctenotus Ctenotus leonhardii

long-nosed Water dragon Amphibolurus longirostris

narrow-Banded sand swimmer Eremiascincus fasciolatus

Perentie Varanus giganteus

Purplish dtella Gehyra purpurascens

Pygmy Mulga Monitor Varanus gilleni

rusty-topped delma Delma borea

sand goanna Varanus gouldii

sand lerista Lerista labialis

schomburk’s Ctenotus Ctenotus schomburgkii

sharp-snouted delma Delma nasuta

small snake Brachyurophis incinctus

spiny-tailed gecko Strophurus ciliaris

stimson’s Python Antaresia stimsoni

tree dtella Gehyra variegata

two-toed lerista Lerista bipes

Western Brown snake Pseudonaja nuchalis

mAmmALs


Bristle-faced Free-tailed bat Mormopterus eleryi

Camel* Camelus dromedarius

Cat* Felis catus

Cattle* Bos taurus

Chocolate Wattled Bat Chalinolobus morio


mAmmALs


desert Mouse Pseudomys desertor

dingo Canis lupus

dog* Canis lupus familiaris

gould’s Wattled bat Chalinolobus gouldii

House Mouse* Mus musculus

inland Broad-nosed Bat Scotorepens balstoni

inland Forest Bat Vespadelus braverstocki

inland Free-tailed Bat Mormopterus sp.3

lesser long-eared Bat Nyctophilus geoffroyi

ooldea dunnart Sminthopsis ooldea

rabbit* Oryctolagus cuniculus

red Kangaroo Macropus rufus

sandy inland MousePseudomys hermannsburgensis

stripe-faced dunnart Sminthopsis macroura

White-striped Free-tailed Bat Tadarida australis

signiFiCant sPeCies reCorded on site

GrouP common nAme scientiFic nAme LeGisLAtion

Plants Climbing saltbush Einadia nutans subsp. nutans tPWC (nt)

Birds square-tailed Kite Lophoictinia isura tPWC (nt)

grey Falcon Falco hypoleucos tPWC (nt)

australian Bustard Ardeotis australis tPWC (v)

red-tailed Black-cockatoo Calyptorhynchus banksii samueli tPWC (nt/lC)

redthroat Pyrrholaemus brunneus tPWC (nt)

Migratory Birds rainbow Bee-eater Merops ornatus ePBC Migratory; JaMBa

great egret Ardea modesta ePBC Migratory; CaMBa; JaMBa

oriental Pratincole Glareola maldivarum ePBC Migratory; CaMBa; JaMBa; roKaMBa

Fork-tailed swift Apus pacificus ePBC Migratory; CaMBa; JaMBa; roKaMBa

Key

*: indicates pest / introduced species

tPWC: territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation act 2000

(v): vulnerable listing

(nt): near threatened listing

(lC): least Concern

ePBC: environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation act 1999

Bonn: Convention on the Conservation of Migratory species of Wild animals (Bonn

Convention)

CaMBa: China-australia Migratory Bird agreement

JaMBa: Japan-australia Migratory Bird agreement

roKaMBa: republic of Korea-australia Migratory Bird agreement


19SECTION 19

Figures and tables

SECTION 19

Figures and tables

Figures

Figure 1: Company Structure. ...........................................10

Figure 2: Surrounding Land Use. ......................................12

Figure 3: Current ASA Layout. ..........................................13

Figure 4: AES Approval Process. .......................................17

Figure 5: Framework for Environmental Management

at ASA..............................................................21

Figure 6: Cultural and Heritage Signifi cant Sites . ................24

Figure 7: Water Plan. .......................................................32

Figure 8: Vegetation Types. ...............................................41

taBles

Table 1: ASA Environmental Monitoring Program.................23

Table 2: Water Management Zones relevant to

Alice Springs. .....................................................30

Table 3: Ecological Monitoring programs at

Alice Springs Airport.. ..........................................39


20SECTION 20

references

SECTION 20

references

•Albrecht, D. and Pitts, B. (2004) The Vegetation

and Plant Species of the Alice Springs Municipality,

Northern Territory. Greening Australia and Department of

Information, Planning and Environment, Alice Springs

•Avisure, 2009. Avisure: What is Bird Strike?

http://www.imagesubstation.com/avisure/what_is_bird_

strike.html

•Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional

Development and Local Government 2009

http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/

•Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife Fauna and Flora Atlas

Database. (2009). Provided by NTPWC on request.

•Paltridge, R and Latz, P. (2003). Alice Springs Airport

Fauna and Flora Survey. Prepared for Northern Territory

Airports.

•Reilly T, and van den Hoek D. (2008). Flora and Fauna

Report Alice Springs Airport, October 2008. Prepared for

NT Airports by EcOz Environmental Services.

•Reilly T, and van den Hoek D. (2009). Flora, Fauna

and Habitat Survey of Vegetation Type 23, Alice Springs

Airport, March 2009. Prepared for NT Airports by EcOz

Environmental Services.

•Smith, J and Firth, R. (2005). Preliminary assessment of

Coolibah / Ironwood vegetation patches at Alice Springs

Airport. Prepared by Indicus Biological Consultants for NT

Airports Pty Ltd.

aliCe sPrings airPort

santa teresa roadnorthern territory 0870

Po Box 796 alice springsnorthern territory 0871

tel: +61 8 8951 1211www.alicespringsairport.com.au

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