Improvements to Ballina airspace to come into effect from 2025

Civil Aviation Safety Authority

Airspace around Ballina Airport will be controlled by air traffic controllers from 2025 as the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and Airservices Australia move to develop services to accommodate the airport’s growth.

The announcement follows an airspace review conducted in 2022 by CASA which included extensive feedback from industry and subsequent discussions with Airservices on timing for the establishment of controlled airspace and air traffic services.

CASA has issued a direction to establish controlled airspace from 2025 and will work closely with Airservices to support airspace design.

The first phase will see the airspace reclassified and an approach control service provided by Airservices by 12 June 2025.

The second phase will see the establishment of a new aerodrome control service by Airservices no later than 27 November 2025.

The establishment of enhanced air traffic services comes on the back of sustained growth in air traffic in the region and is part of a graduated approach to safely accommodate further growth.

‘When we review airspace it’s important that we look not only at what is happening today, but also to look at growth trends in recent years and what operators are predicting into the future,’ CASA Branch Manager Air Navigation, Airspace and Aerodromes Adrian Slootjes said.

Airspace around Ballina Airport will be controlled by air traffic controllers from 2025 as the CASA and Airservices Australia move to develop services to accommodate the airport’s growth.

‘We consider a range of data and information, look at incidents and occurrences and take a risk-based approach to our recommendations.

‘While there have been a range of incremental changes and enhancements in aviation safety in the region, we consider that these additional changes are required to ensure the safety of passenger transport operations and all airspace users in and around Ballina.’

Improvements already made around Ballina include changes to radio frequencies used by pilots to reduce congestion, provision of a Surveillance Flight Information Service (SFIS) to provide pilots with information about other aircraft in the area, and the introduction of an Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast ground station to allow appropriately equipped aircraft to be more easily detected by air traffic control.

Work on an Airspace Change Proposal outlining details of the new service and aimed at ensuring it meets necessary requirements will continue throughout 2024.

The timing also allows CASA and Airservices to engage with aviation and community stakeholders, including the sports and recreational aviation community, about safely accessing controlled airspace.

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Purple tsunami to help domestic victims

By Samantha Elley

A purple wave is coming!

This is the beginning of a tsunami of awareness and hopefully, providing the right support for victims and offenders of domestic violence, according to Rotary Governor for Northern NSW and South East Queensland, Dave Harmon.

Ballina-on-Richmond Rotary Club is leading an Australia-wide campaign against Domestic and Family Violence, which started on November 25 and will continue to December 10.

The National Day of Action to say ‘No’ to Domestic and Family Violence, will take place on December 1, is not only happening in Ballina, but right across Australia.

“The five rotary districts of NSW have partnered with NSW police to highlight the increasing issue,” said Mr Harmon.

“The aim (is) to advocate against domestic and family violence and educate our community about respectful relationships.”

Mr Harmon has seen his proposal of fighting domestic violence, put to the Rotary districts, accepted and prioritised.

“This means that 16 countries, 30,000 rotarians and 1300 Rotary clubs will put fighting domestic violence as a priority,” he said.

“I am over the moon, as on December 1 the CBDs of Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide, Perth and Darwin will be closed for their walks against domestic violence.

“This is the start.”

Partnering with NSW Police has strengthened the campaign considerably, according to Mr Harmon, as often police are on the front line of experiencing the after-effects of domestic violence.

Superintendent Scott Tanner of Ballina Police confirmed it is a major issue.

“Sixty to 40 per cent of our callouts are in response to domestic violence,” he said.

“We see it from the verbal arguments to the darker cases of homicide.

“We are members of the community and we are husbands, wives, parents and children and it affects us.”

Supt Tanner even advised on the way to talk to The Northern Rivers Times, he had a call of a domestic dispute called in by a neighbour.

“We hope to raise awareness, so the people involved can get the help they need,” he said.

“We want to end the silence and stop the violence.”

Supt Tanner said many victims of domestic violence find it difficult to escape their situations.

“There could be some form of coercive control, financial or emotional dependence, cultural or language barriers and even shame,” he said.

“Campaigns like this one is to let them know there is help.”

With the death of 58 women last year from domestic violence, both Mr Harmon and Supt Tanner are adamant that all people need to take action against domestic violence.

“When statistically, a woman is at more risk of serious injury by someone known to her in her own home than by a stranger on the street, we have to admit we have a serious societal problem,” said Mr Harmon.

Supt Tanner encourages anyone suffering from domestic violence to reach out to their local police station for help.

“We can provide access to support services to provide financial, emotional and residential support,” he said.

“For men (or women) who are worried they will offend, they can also contact us and we can put them in touch with men’s help lines or they can ring 1800 RESPECT.

“For anyone who witnesses what they believe is domestic violence, they can also contact us or ring Crime Stoppers on 1300 333 000. All calls are anonymous.”

Come and  join Ballina-on-Richmond Rotary Club and NSW Police on December 1 and have your say on raising awareness to eradicate domestic and family violence.

Assemble at Las Balsas Plaza carpark for a 12.30pm start.

Dr Hannah Tonkin, Women’s Safety Commissioner, will be one of the guest speakers of the day.

For more local Ballina news, click here.

OzFish to host free angler event at Ballina Surf Club 

OzFish Unlimited

Recreational anglers surrounding the Richmond River are invited to OzFish’s latest fish talk at Ballina Surf Club on Thursday 30 November. It is the latest in OzFish’s Fish Talk series that brings leading experts to share their knowledge with recreational fishing communities across Australia.

Attendance is free, and catering and lucky door prizes are provided.

Richmond River is graded as the NSW river with the worst water quality and has further suffered with the adverse effects of recent droughts, fires and floods. OzFish has organised this free event to connect the community with leading minds and highlight the waterway’s current challenges while looking through the sustainable fishing lens for future generations.

Commencing at 5:30pm OzFish will provide local anglers with a chance to better understand the research behind species they love to catch, as well as finding out fishing tips with a local fishing guest speaker.

“This event isn’t just about information; it’s about forward thinking and solutions,” said OzFish Senior Project Officer Taylah Kirk.

Ballina Fish Talks is on November 30th

“The Richmond River is the heartbeat of towns like Ballina, Lismore, and Woodburn that rely on this incredible waterway for contributions to the region’s economy, health, and recreation.”

“One of the key items for discussion is to update local fishers on the plight and progress of the Tuckean Swamp. It’s a hugely important place for fish, it’s the Richmond River’s largest coastal wetland and it’s in such poor health,” said Cassie Price, OzFish’s Director of Habitat Programs, and one of the speakers for the event.

“There is a complexity to restoring it to good health, and we really want people to know more about that, but solutions are within reach.”

Speakers include: 

• Cassie Price, OzFish, will delve into the plight and progress of the Tuckean Swamp;
• Chrisy Clay, Rous County Council Flood Mitigation Manager, will explore the history of the Richmond River estuary and floodplain;
• Jim Tait from Econcern Consulting strategies to reintroduce the endangered Eastern Freshwater Cod into the Richmond;
• NSW DPI Marine Estate Management team will share insights on the river’s health and the government’s ongoing restoration effort;
• Local Recreational Fisher will provide tips, tricks and insights into fishing the Richmond

Where: Ballina Surf Club. When: November 30, 2023, 5:30pm to 8:30pm. Click here to register.

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