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CRANES | AERODROME REGULATIONS

Crane operations within Ballina Shire have the potential to create an air safety hazard and significantly impact the operation of our airport. Any crane activity within the area covered by the Airport’s Obstacle Limitation Surface (OLS) must be referred to Airport management for assessment.

The area extent of the OLS can be found on the Ballina Shire Council Online Mapping System as per LINK, which allows any property address to be checked against the OLS Planning Constraint overlay. If you’re unsure, please check with the Airport’s management team before proceeding.

How to apply for assessment? Applications for crane operations should be submitted using a Crane Assessment Form, lodged with Airport management at least 28 days before the proposed activity. Please click on LINK for more information.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

OPERATIONS – DRONES

Drones, also referred to as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPAs) are becoming increasingly popular and more affordable worldwide. In Australia this has led to a growing number of drones being flown for both recreational and commercial purposes.

Airport Drone Zones 

We support and encourages drone operators to familiarise themselves with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) rules governing drone use. Their primary purpose is to ensure aviation safety is maintained and drone operators are taking responsibility for ensuring the safety of their operations and of the surrounding airspace.

Drone operators are responsible for ensuring that their flights comply with Civil Aviation Safety Authority Rules. Penalties can be tough for flying drones outside of aviation rules or without the correct permissions.

Rules relating to the airportand recreational drone use are:

  • You must not begin flying within 5.5 kilometres of a non-controlled aerodrome if there is a manned aircraft operating to or from the aerodrome.
  • If you become aware that a manned aircraft is operating to or from the aerodrome, you must safely manoeuvre your drone clear of its path and land as soon as safely possible.

Please note that operational conditions will be updated following the classification of Ballina Byron Gateway Airport as a controlled aerodrome, expected around June–July 2026.

For more information visit link below. 

CASA WEBSITE