Community consultation

Airservices is committed to open and timely communication with the community and our stakeholders as outlined in the Communication and Consultation Protocol.

We are committed to providing information to stakeholders and the community on significant changes that may affect them, and to incorporating feedback into our planning, decision-making and implementation processes. This document outlines our approach to engagement with stakeholders, the value we place on it and the various consultation methods that we employ. The communication and consultation protocol is not a static document. It is subject to regular review on the basis of our experience in implementing changes and in developing projects.

The National Aviation White Paper required that federally leased airports (excluding Mt. Isa and Tennant Creek) establish and lead Community Aviation Consultation Groups (CACGs) to provide an effective avenue for local community engagement on airport planning and operations, including aircraft noise.

The membership of CACGs varies, depending on the characteristics of the airport and local issues of community concern. However, membership tends to include:

Airport management
Aircraft operators
Community organisations or representatives
Representatives from state, territory or local government bodies
Local tourism and business groups.

Airservices does not formally belong to CACGs, but is often invited to provide relevant information and assist in discussions. Airservices also consults CACGs on potential changes to flight paths as well as on technical reviews, such as noise monitoring and noise abatement procedures. CACGs are not, though, arbitration or decision-making bodies.

The Department for Infrastructure and Transport has produced guidance on CAGGs

Information about individual CACGs can be found on airport websites: