Caloundra Aerodrome

Community and Aviation Forum

Notes of Forum
Date

10.00am 12.00pm 9 December 2015

Location

Beerwah Room, Sunshine Coast Council Chambers1 Omrah Avenue, Caloundra

Chair

Richard Hill

Attendees Community/Aviation Representatives

Bellvista & Bells Reach Community Association | Les Thomas
Bellvista & Bells Reach Community Association | Debye OReilly
Bellvista & Bells Reach Community Association | Mick Smith
Caloundra Chamber of Commerce | Leanne Layfield
Residents Association South | Peter Ryan
Aviation Industry representatives
Queensland Air Museum | Geoff Smith
Aviation Taskforce | Terry OBrien
Queensland Aviation Services | Lester Neideck
Sunshine Coast Council
Division 1 | Cr Rick Baberowski
Division 9 | Cr Stephen Robinson | Economic Development Portfolio (Aviation)
SCA Operations & Assets | Frank Mondello
SCC Manager, Property Management| Steve Linnane
SCC Coordinator Property Projects & Development | Richard Hill
SCC Project Development Officer | Ben Wallis
SCC Project Officer | Dianne Vincent
SCC Industry Investment Facilitator | Anthony Edgar
Apologies

Division 2 Cr Tim Dwyer

SCA Coordinator Operations & Assets SCA | Rod Miller
SCC Coordinator Land Management | Peter Sommer
SCC Coordinator Media | Paul Munnings
Helimods | Will Shrapnel
Cirrus Aircraft | Ross Harrison
Bellvista & Bells Reach Community Association | John Lehmann
Chopperline | Mike Hayes | Chief Pilot
Parklands Community Group | Ron Burnett
Residents Association South | Peter Bryant
Golden Beach Progress Association | Mick Graham
MIH Helicopters (Prorotor) | Sandy Clark
Leaseholder | Gary Castle
Leaseholder | Dave Miles
Leaseholder | Peter Newman & Leslie Hohn

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1.

2.

Welcome and Apologies Richard Hill

The Chairman welcomed all attendees to the Forum.

Apologies as noted above.

Please
note:
All
enquiries
should
propertymanagment@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au

be

directed

to

Previous Notes and Actions Richard Hill

Notes of meeting held 18 August 2015 were confirmed by Forum with no further
discussion taking place. Two carry-over items were noted for next meeting (Rod Miller
(item 7-8) and Anthony Edgar (item 6) please note on previous notes).

3.

Master Plan Over/Update Richard Hill/Ben Wallis

Master Plan Delivery design works over next five years with budget undertaken for
design works. AECOM appointed with 60% of design complete.
Emergency Access to Caloundra Rd - $115,000 allocated. Works scheduled to
commence February 2016.
Improvement Works Landscape concept design commences January 2016. Also car
parking and signage were discussed.
Rehabilitation Works Work in Progress including topsoil relocation at the North
Western section in line with OLs at the end of Pathfinder Drive.
Cr Baberowski requested maps/plans of work areas to be shown in next presentation for
easy identification of the areas discussed.

4.

Aviation Aerodrome Industry Update Terry OBrien/Anthony Edgar

Noted that Task Force participation is voluntary.
Urban design works - quotes being obtained.
Industry study - initial work completed by Sunshine Coast University.
Quotes currently being obtained for development of Task Force website for internal use
as well as community access and awareness.
Aviation awareness Terry OBrien asked resident groups to advise interest in Forum to
discuss aviation awareness.
Focus on training from early school years with pathways through further to technical
training and ultimately through to employment.
Seeking high end technical companies. Particular interest in UAV's. Meeting scheduled
to discuss opportunities with stakeholders including CASA and QUT academics.
Objective to identify opportunities and be pro-active in understanding the regulatory and
technical environment.
Lester Neideck noted UAV's research being undertaken at Kingaroy. Also noted that
current regulations in relation to flying objects such as kites and the like are restricted to
not be operated within 3 kilometres of an aerodrome.
Terry OBrien commented Kingaroy now have ceased UAVs and Sunshine Coast
looking to leads the way in UAVs technology development.
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Cr Baberowski noted that the regulations are likely to be high at domestic level use. Real
interest is likely to be at mid-commercial level - probably presents the best opportunities.
E.g. customisation of UAV's to suit applications.
Terry OBrien further advised the possibility for 'test corridors' to provide opportunities for
testing of equipment.
Potential for Sunshine Coast to be industry leader in this sector and is a key focus of
AAIT.
5. -6.

Sunshine Coast Airport Update/Operations Frank Mondello

SCA AEIS (Additional Environmental Impact Statement) community consultation period
of 30 days closed at 17:00 on the 30th November, SCA are now awaiting for the public
submissions to be forwarded from the Coordinator Generals office so we can commence
the response process.
SCA reaching capacity approaching Christmas period.
Multiple user checking counters now being utilised at SCA.
Air New Zealand now operating through to 28 February 2016 Upgrade in the
Change of security provider to SNP from 16 November 2015.
Refit of commercial retail areas in progress - looking to re-brand including use of
Sunshine Coast products within businesses.
Carrying out an upgrade of the baggage checking area screening equipment.
Caloundra Aerodrome
Aircraft noise complaints continue to be at low levels with only seven (7) complaints
received in the last Air services (AsA) report; (note: due to an eight (8) week lag time
related to collation and distribution of data from AsA we are only able to supply accurate
figures to the end of September 2015).
Noted that all of the seven (7) complaints made were related to fixed wing operations,
we did receive 1 helicopter complaint in November through Cr Baberowskis office (fly in
itinerant), however in order to keep the reporting accurate this complaint will be included
in the totals once AsA have submitted their figures for the month of November.
Beckers Helicopters have been utilising the Satellite Training Facility (Bruce Hwy) for
the past month, usage varies from twice daily to once every second or third day
depending on operations and weather conditions, Beckers are also conducting training
at Rainbow Beach, Gympie, the Quarry & Sunshine Coast Airport Helicopter Training
Area.
The Emergency Training (Auto Rotation) component of the students training is expected
to commence at Caloundra in Mid-December, this is training that is regulated to be
conducted at an aerodrome facility, training numbers and timeframes will be conducted
in accordance with the agreement set out between SCC and Beckers Helicopters earlier
this year.
Noted Becker shut down is 19 December 2015 to 4 January 2016.
Bell Vista residents association noted that Tibor might benefit from some silencing
equipment on his airplane early morning take-offs are the main concern.
Ben Wallis noted that implementation of Parking and Landing fees and charges had not
yet been implemented. Logistics of monitoring and charging methods are under revision
by SCA.
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Link to fees and charges schedule is provided below:

http://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/sitepage.cfm?code=fees-and-charges&fn=86
7.

Councillor Update
Cr Baberowski
Regular monthly meetings occur regarding Airport Operations with Peter Pallot,
Manager, SCA and Frank Mondello regarding the Caloundra Aerodrome to ensure close
monitoring of Caloundra Aerodrome activity and quickly respond to operators activity
outside of agreement terms.
These meetings also monitor the progress of negotiations with the State for a permanent
satellite facility.
Cr Baberowski remains supportive of Master Plan implementation, but delivery is subject
to budget approval and he reported that Council also required a business plan to
consider.
Cr Baberowski requested an update on land swap (incl Air Museum site extension)
progress. Ben Wallis to provide advice through the notes progress of QAM land noting
milestones and target dates.
Cr Robinson
Re-iterated support for implementation of Master Plan.
New SCA runway - confident in project success and importance. Preliminary advice is
that public consultation has raised no significant additional issues.
Aviation sector travelling well. Numbers are up and approaching 1 million passengers for
the year.
New Qantas services are well subscribed. Every success increases the likelihood of
additional services.

8.

Community Discussion
Les Thomas noted earlier undertaking that Local Caloundra Helicopter companies would
be included in agreements for both temporary and permanent satellite facility.
Frank Mondello noted Rod Miller has been contacting local helicopter operators to
discuss use of the site.
Cr Baberowski noted that fees and charges were more a management tool than about
significant revenue raising they have potential to control itinerant traffic but should not
be used to the detriment of local operators.
Leanne Layfield enquiry to Terry OBrien regarding Sunshine Coast University Study:
Will the report detail the value of the Caloundra Aerodrome, i.e. value of supply chain
and other Aviation industries. Terry advised not specifically. Information was not specific
- more general information. Smaller operators less likely to share commercial in
confidence information.
Meeting Closed 12.00pm

Next Meeting
Date

To be advised following Council Elections March 2016 Outcome of Elections to

determine next meeting date.

Location Sunshine Coast Council, Beerwah Room, Council Chambers, 1 Omrah Avenue,
Caloundra

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