Aerodrome Master Plan 2004 - 2014

In response to the adoption of the Ballarat Aerodrome Master Plan, Ballarat City Council prepared Planning Scheme Amendment C74 to introduce the recommended changes to the Ballarat Planning Scheme.

Details of these changes are included in the Ballarat Aerodrome Master Plan 2004 - 2014 (PDF - 2290KB).

Amendment C74 was approved by the Minister for Planning and gazetted on 1 February 2007. The Airport Environs Overlays, Design and Development Overlays and other recommended planning scheme changes proposed as part of Amendment C74 became effective on this date.

What is the Ballarat Aerodrome Master Plan?

Airports Plus Pty Ltd was commissioned by the City of Ballarat to undertake a study that would produce a new Ballarat Aerodrome Master Plan 2004 - 2014 for the Ballarat Aerodrome and a Land Use Strategy within the aerodrome boundary.

What are the objectives of the Aerodrome Master Plan?

The objectives of the Master Plan are to:

• Identify the future needs and requirements for the airport facility over the next ten years based on industry trends and available data.
• Review zoning at the Aerodrome and its immediate surrounds. 
• Make recommendations for the application of the Airport Environs Overlay and draft appropriate supporting planning scheme amendment documentation. 
• Create an Australian Noise Exposure Forecast (ANEF) plan for the site and develop appropriate noise contours. 
• Identify current inadequacies in the infrastructure at Ballarat Aerodrome 
• Provide a cost benefit analysis in relation to potential investment in new infrastructure (runway extension and hangars).

What process was followed to develop the Master Plan?

In developing the Master Plan, consultants Airports Plus P/L undertook:

• A detailed inspection of Ballarat Aerodrome including all infrastructure.
• Consultation with all key stakeholders including potential business stakeholders. 
• Interviews of all major aircraft operators at Ballarat Aerodrome to collect data on the type of aircraft being operated, the number of movements of these aircraft and future aircraft types that may be introduced by these operators. 
• Collection of data regarding itinerant aircraft and helicopter operations 
• The submission of an ANEF report and plan for endorsement by Air services Australia.

Key Issues

The central goal of the Master Plan was to produce a strategic aerodrome planning document that considers the future growth of Ballarat Aerodrome and a planned and logical development strategy. The emphasis of the document is on aviation growth and development and protecting the site for future aviation facilities expansion.

It suggests that the facility be further protected by planning provisions through the implementation of a Planning Scheme Amendment. A proposed amendment has been prepared to put in place the controls necessary to protect the aerodrome, which:

• Applies the Airport Environs Overlay (AEO1 and AEO2) to areas which are or will be subject to high levels of aircraft noise from the Ballarat Aerodrome;
• Applies the Design and Development Overlay (DDO16 and DDO17) to ensure that building height does not adversely effect the operations of the aerodrome; 
• Makes minor changes to Clause 21.9-5 of the MSS to support application of these overlays; and 
• Incorporates Australian Standard AS 2021-2000, Acoustics Aircraft Noise Intrusion Building Siting and Construction by including it in the Schedule to Clause 81.

The draft amendment is based on the Ballarat Aerodromes approved 2014 Australian Noise Exposure Forecast (ANEF) chart and Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS) plan which were both developed as part of the Master Plan and are critical for the future operation of this important transport and economic asset.

More information

Any queries can be directed to the Strategic Planning Unit by phone 03 5320 5536 or via email to strategicplanning@ballarat.vic.gov.au.

Ballarat Aerodrome Planning Scheme Amendment (PDF - 682KB)