Wildlife Hazard Management Plan
Prepared By Townsville Airport Pty Ltd January 2013
Contents Security Instructions ............................................................................................................................................................. 4 Acknowledgements .............................................................................................................................................................. 4 Disclaimer ............................................................................................................................................................................. 4 Authority ............................................................................................................................................................................... 5 Record of Amendments – Version 7 ..................................................................................................................................... 6 Record of Annual Review ...................................................................................................................................................... 8 Abbreviations ........................................................................................................................................................................ 9 1.
Background ................................................................................................................................................................ 10 1.1.
Function............................................................................................................................................................. 10
1.2.
Policy ................................................................................................................................................................. 10
1.3.
Goals and Objectives ......................................................................................................................................... 10
1.4.
The Airport ........................................................................................................................................................ 10
1.5.
Supporting Information ..................................................................................................................................... 12
2.
Structure .................................................................................................................................................................... 13
3.
Planning...................................................................................................................................................................... 13 3.1.
4.
3.1.1.
Aircraft movements and types ................................................................................................................. 14
3.1.2.
On airport hazards .................................................................................................................................... 14
3.1.3.
Off airport hazards.................................................................................................................................... 19
3.1.4.
Wildlife strike history ................................................................................................................................ 22
3.2.
Ranking Species by Risk ..................................................................................................................................... 26
3.3.
Wildlife Hazard Management Plan .................................................................................................................... 27
Implementation ......................................................................................................................................................... 38 4.1.
Roles and Responsibilities ................................................................................................................................. 38
4.2.
Training.............................................................................................................................................................. 38
4.3.
Communications ............................................................................................................................................... 39
4.3.1.
Wildlife hazard reporting .......................................................................................................................... 39
4.3.2.
Stakeholder consultation .......................................................................................................................... 40
4.4.
5.
Hazard Identification ......................................................................................................................................... 14
Wildlife Management Measures ....................................................................................................................... 40
4.4.1.
Passive Management ................................................................................................................................ 40
4.4.2.
Active Management ................................................................................................................................. 42
Checking and Review ................................................................................................................................................. 44 5.1.
Monitoring......................................................................................................................................................... 44
5.1.1.
Routine Hazard Monitoring ...................................................................................................................... 44
5.1.2.
Other Hazard Monitoring ......................................................................................................................... 45
5.1.3.
Performance Indicators ............................................................................................................................ 45
5.1.4.
Research Projects and Trials ..................................................................................................................... 45
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5.1.5.
Record Keeping ......................................................................................................................................... 46
5.2.
Reporting ........................................................................................................................................................... 46
5.3.
Auditing ............................................................................................................................................................. 46
5.3.1.
Auditing of the WHMP.............................................................................................................................. 46
5.3.2. Plans
Auditing of Operations for the purposes of the Damage Mitigation Permit and Property Management 46
5.4.
Review ............................................................................................................................................................... 47
5.4.1.
Major Review ............................................................................................................................................ 47
5.4.2.
Annual Update .......................................................................................................................................... 47
5.5.
Options for Future Improvement ...................................................................................................................... 47
5.5.1.
Revision of the Mowing Strategy .............................................................................................................. 48
5.5.2.
Review Food Sources on the Airfield ........................................................................................................ 48
5.5.3.
Communication between Defence and TAPL ........................................................................................... 48
5.5.4.
Investigation in Airfield Drainage Solutions.............................................................................................. 48
5.5.5.
Development of a preferred grass revegetation guideline for Townsville Aerodrome ............................ 49
5.5.6.
New Technologies and Harassment Techniques ...................................................................................... 49
Glossary .............................................................................................................................................................................. 50 Appendices ......................................................................................................................................................................... 52 Appendix 1 – Wildlife Management Procedures ................................................................................................................ 53 WHMP – 01 Wildlife Count Procedure ........................................................................................................................... 53 WHMP – 02 Wildlife Hazard Surveillance Procedure ..................................................................................................... 56 WHMP – 03 Strike Reporting Procedure ........................................................................................................................ 57 WHMP – 04 Identification and Handling of Remains Procedure ................................................................................... 59 WHMP – 05 Wildlife Dispersal Procedure ...................................................................................................................... 61 WHMP – 06 Wildlife Culling Procedure .......................................................................................................................... 64 WHMP-07 Suspected Strike Reporting Procedure ......................................................................................................... 66 WHMP-08 Significant Strike Incident Investigation & Reporting Procedure .................................................................. 68 Appendix 2 – Roles and Responsibilities ............................................................................................................................. 72 Appendix 3 – Review Checklist ........................................................................................................................................... 74 Appendix 4 – Standards Reference Table ........................................................................................................................... 77 Appendix 5 – Townsville Airport Landscaping Guide .......................................................................................................... 81 Appendix 6 – Example Bird NOTAM ................................................................................................................................... 82 Appendix 7 – Distribution List ............................................................................................................................................. 83
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Security Instructions 1. This document is UNCLASSIFIED 2. This document is designated ‘FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY”. Reproduction and distribution of this Plan is restricted to authorised use.
Acknowledgements This Wildlife Hazard Management Plan, Townsville Aerodrome has been prepared in consultation with the airline industry, Office Transport Security, Civil Aviation Safety Authority, Townsville City Council, Department of Environment and Resource Management and the Townsville Region Bird Observers Club Australia. Townsville Airport Pty Ltd and the Department of Defence gratefully acknowledge the cooperation and input from all organisations and individuals who participated in the preparation of this document.
Disclaimer This Wildlife Hazard Management Plan, Townsville Aerodrome (the Plan) considers the strategies adopted by the Townsville Airport Pty Ltd and Department of Defence to minimise the risk of wildlife strike to aircraft and is provided for the purpose of information only. The contents of this Plan are for the information of the party to whom it is addressed (the Addressee) and for no other purpose. No responsibility what so ever is accepted to any party what so ever who may use or rely on whole or any part of this plan. No party may reproduce this Plan in whole or in part without the express written permission of Townsville Airport Pty Ltd and Department of Defence. Townsville Airport Pty Ltd and Department of Defence gives no warranty as to the information in this Plan, other than the Plan has been prepared and disclosed in good faith. By way of accepting this Plan the Addressee acknowledges that the information contained in the Plan is particular to Townsville Airport and may not be suitable for use at other airports. Any inquires should be addressed to: Townsville Airport Pty Ltd PO Box 7636 Garbutt QLD 4814
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Authority Joint Townsville Airport Pty Ltd and Royal Australian Air Force Bird and Wildlife Management Plan Townsville Airport Authority This Plan has been prepared in compliance with Section 89 (I) and Schedule 10 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1988 for licences Aerodromes and forms part of the Aerodrome manual for Townsville Airport. The organisation responsible for coordinating this Plan is Townsville Airport Pty Ltd (TAPL) and is authorised by the Chairman of the Bird Management Committee (Committee) on behalf of the committee.
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Record of Amendments – Version 7 No.
Date of Amendment
Section
Details
Signed
Date
1
27/06/2011
All
Released for internal comment and review
BA
27/06/2011
BA
30/06/2011
2
30/06/2011
All
Internal comments considered Released for External stakeholder comment
3
06/09/2011
All
All comments finalised and manual prepared for external review
BA
06/09/2011
4
01/11/2011
All
Externally Reviewed Document received back after review
BA
29/11/2011
5
29/11/2011
All
Final version submitted for endorsement
BA
29/11/2011
6
08/12/2011
Pg 5
Final Version Signed all parties
BA
08/12/2011
7
08/01/2013
Pg 5
Robert (Jim) Craig added as approving signatory
BA
14/02/2013
Pg 60
WHMP - Frequency Twice weekly (Wednesday and Saturday) at morning, midday and afternoon - This as been amended to “As per section 4.4.2.1”
BA
08/01/2013
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Pg 65
Engage a consultant to conduct an annual review of the wildlife hazard at Townsville Airport amended to Facilitate an external review of the wildlife hazard management plan at Townsville Airport every 2 years
BA
08/01/2013
Multiple
Position Titles
BA
08/01/2013
Table 5
Updated species risk ranking
BA
08/01/2013
Table 6
Updated risk 8 to include Straw-necked Ibis
BA
08/01/2013
WHMP 01 06
Reviewed for accuracy
BA
08/01/2013
WHMP 07 and 08
Added in line with best practice procedures at other ports
BA
08/01/2013
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Record of Annual Review
1
Date of Review 27/06/2011
2
Version
Details Released for internal comment and review
Signed
Date
BA
27/06/2011
30/06/2011
Internal comments considered - Released for External BA stakeholder comment
30/06/2011
3
06/09/2011
All comments finalised and manual prepared for external review
BA
06/09/2011
4
01/11/2011
Externally Reviewed Document received back after review
BA
29/11/2011
4.7
08/01/2013
Minor amendments to address QANTAS and internal Audit findings detailed in “Record of Amendments”
BA
08/01/2013
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Abbreviations AHD
Australian Height Datum
ARFF
Aviation Rescue and Fire Fighting Service
ASO
Airport Safety Officer
ATC
Air Traffic Control
ATSB
Air Transport Safety Board
BASO
Base Aviation Safety Officer
CASA
Civil Aviation Safety Authority
CASR
Civil Aviation Safety Regulations
DDAAFS
Directorate of Defence Aviation & Air Force Safety
DERM
Department of Environment and Resource Management
DoD
Department of Defence
ERSA
En Route Supplement of Australia
EMSO
Environmental Sustainability and Management Officer (TAPL)
FOD
Foreign Object Debris
GA
General Aviation
ICAO
International Civil Aviation Organisation
MA
Manager Aviation
MOS
Manual of Standards
NOTAM
Notice to Airmen
QPWS
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service
RAAF
Royal Australian Air Force
RPT
Regular Public Transport
SASO
Senior Airport Safety Officer
SATCO
Senior Air Traffic Controller
TAPL
Townsville Airport Pty Ltd
WHMP
Wildlife Hazard Management Plan
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1. Background 1.1. Function The purpose of this Wildlife Hazard Management Plan (WHMP), is to document and define the risk that wildlife pose to air traffic at the Townsville Aerodrome and to set objectives, performance indicators and procedures in place for the systematic management of that risk. It aims to support the requirements of Appendix 1 to Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASR 1998), subparagraph 139.095(a) (ii) in relation to the content of the Aerodrome Manual. It also aims to fulfil the requirements of Manual of Standards (MOS) Part 139, Section 10.14.12 “10.14.1.2 Where regular monitoring confirms existence of a bird or animal hazard to aircraft operations, or when The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) so directs, the aerodrome operator must produce a bird or animal hazard management plan, which would be included as part of the Aerodrome Manual.” This plan has been designed to be incorporated as part of the Townsville Airport Pty Ltd Environmental Management System and Safety Management System. This plan will also form part of the “The Defence Aviation Safety Management System (ASMS)".
1.2. Policy Townsville Airport Pty Ltd and the Department of Defence are committed to ensuring the safety of aircraft using the Townsville Aerodrome. While the safety of aircraft at Townsville Aerodrome is paramount, it is not possible to prevent all wildlife strikes. The WHMP aims to reduce the frequency and severity of strikes by focusing management efforts on species and habitats that constitute significant hazards to aircraft that operate at the Townsville Aerodrome. Townsville Aerodrome is a Joint User Airport and operates under a Joint User Deed between the Department of Defence (DoD) and Townsville Airport Pty Ltd (TAPL). Under the Deed TAPL have overall responsibility for wildlife management on the Joint User areas and as such has compiled this WHMP for the use of both military and civil operators at the Townsville Aerodrome.
1.3. Goals and Objectives The goal of this WHMP is to protect passengers, flight crews, aircraft and operational capability by reducing the frequency of collisions between aircraft and wildlife on and in the vicinity of the aerodrome. The objectives of the WHMP are to:
Reduce infringements of critical airspace by high and moderate risk wildlife species. Ensure that adequate systems are in place to define roles, responsibilities and procedures for managing wildlife risks at Townsville Airport Define the methods by which wildlife hazards are managed at Townsville Airport Develop performance goals and targets for adaptive management of wildlife issues and outline how these will be assessed and reviewed
1.4. The Airport Townsville Airport is situated in the Townsville area in North Queensland. A description of the airport is provided in Table 1 below.
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Table 1 – Townsville Airport general information Element
Description
Airport location
Townsville Airport is situated 6 km north west of the Townsville Central Business District on a coastal flood plain between Rowes Bay and the Bohle River. The Airport orientation is such that the existing northern end of the main runway is only 1km from the coast, whilst the terminal and administration building area is approximately 2.6km inland.
Surrounding land use(s)
The Townsville Airport is bounded to the east and south east by residential development. The area to the south west is zoned for industrial use. The north west is bounded by the “Town Common”.
Geography
Coastal lowland, maritime; The extended centre line of RWY 01 meets the ocean 1nm from the north eastern end of the main runway. The western sections of the airport and the “Town Common” together form the lower catchment of Louisa Creek, a unique mangrove and tidal flat wetland habitat that has been entered on the Register of the National Estate.
Elevation
The airport is low lying with levels ranging from 1.0 metres to 4.5 meters AHD.
Airport ownership
Townsville International Airport is 100% owned by Queensland Airports Limited
Airport operator
Joint user aerodrome operated by: RAAF Townsville and TAPL
Traffic profile
Regular Public Transport (RPT) operators include Qantas, Qantaslink, Rex, Jetstar, Skytrans, Airnorth and Virgin Blue with services to Brisbane, Darwin, Sydney, Cairns, Canberra, Gold Coast, Mt Isa, Palm Island and Melbourne. RPT aircraft include A320, A321, B737, Dash 8, SAAB 340, ATR, Embraer & Metro 23. Other operations include Private, General Aviation (GA), Medical Rescue, Military and Charter including international wide body and domestic narrow body passenger and freight operations using aircraft such as the A330, A340 and the Antonov An-124-100 Ruslan.
Runways
The Main Runway 01/19 is 2438m long by 45m wide, and lies within a 2842m x 150m graded strip. The full runway strip width including the ungraded portion is 300m. Runway 01 is a Code 4 precision approach runway, and Runway 19 is a Code 4 instrument non-precision approach runway. There is a 202m clearway provided at each end of the runway. Within this clearway is a 90m RESA, and 60m of asphalt blast area is provided preceding the RESA. The intersecting secondary runway 07/25 is 1100m long by 30m wide, and lies within a 1220m x 90m strip. Both runways 07 and 25 are Code 2 instrument non-precision approach runways. All lighting on this runway has been decommissioned. There is a 60m clearway at each end of the runway with a 60m RESA provided within the clearway. The present 2438 metre long main runway was completed in 1958 and resurfaced in 2006. The secondary runway dates back to 1939 and was resurfaced in 2010.
Navigation aids
The NDB and TACAN at Townsville Airport are owned and maintained by the RAAF. Airservices Australia own and maintain the ILS, VOR and DME. A rotating aerodrome beacon is owned and maintained by TAPL.
Communications
The control tower is manned by ATC between the hours of 0530 – 2200 hrs EST, CTAF procedures apply outside of tower hours.
Hours of operation
Townsville Airport has 24hr operations with no curfew.
Climate
The average temperature varies throughout the year from 31.5°C to 24.1°C in summer to 25.1°C to 13.6°C in winter The average annual rainfall is 1143mm on an average 91 rain days, most of which falls in the six month "wet season" November to April. Due to the "hit or miss" nature of tropical lows and thunderstorms, there is considerable variation from year to year
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1.5. Supporting Information The following documents provide further background to the WHMP:
Anderson, E. 2003. Plants of Central Queensland, their identification and uses. Queensland Department of Primary Industries.
Bureau of Meteorology Climate Statistics for TOWNSVILLE AERO Site number: 032040 Commenced: 1940 Latitude: 19.25° S Longitude: 146.77° E : http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_032040.shtml
Ecosure. 2006. Flora and fauna survey of vacant land precinct at Townsville Airport. Ecosure, Queensland, Australia
Maunsell Australia Pty Ltd. 2008. John Melton Black Drain. Maunsell Australia, Townsville, Australia
Parsons, J., Blair, D., Luly, J., and Robson, S. 2009. Bat Strikes in the Australian Aviation Industry. Journal of Wildlife Management 73(4):526-529
Parsons, J., Blair, D., Luly, J., and Robson, S. 2008. Flying-fox (Megachiroptear: Pteropodidae) flight altitudes determined via an unusual sampling method: aircraft strikes in Australia. Acta Chiropterologica 10(2): 377-379
Parson, J. 2011. Studying mobile species in spatially complex ecosystems: Australian flying-foxes as a case study. Unpublished thesis
Parsons, J., Cairns, A., Johnson, C., Robson, S., Shilton, L., and Westcott. 2006. Dietary variation in spectacled flying foxes (Pteropus conspicillatus) of the Australian Wet Tropics. Australian Journal of Zoology 54: 417-428
QLD Department of Environment and Resource Management Regional Ecosystem Mapping version 6
QLD Department of Environment and Resource Management Regional Ecosystem Description Database Version 6
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2. Structure Townsville Airport adopted a risk-based approach to develop this WHMP and Wildlife Policy and established management procedures to ensure the WHMP is properly implemented in accordance with the relevant requirements of CASR 1998. The planning, implementation and review structure detailed in this document is provided in Figure 1 below.
Planning • Goals & Objectives • Hazard Identification • Risk Assessment • Risk Summary
Checking & Review •Monitoring •Reporting •Research Projects •Record Keeping •Auditing •Review
Implementation • Roles & Responsibilities • Training • Communications • Document Control • Wildlife Management Measures
Figure 1 – Structure of Bird and Wildlife Management Plan for Townsville Airport
3. Planning Townsville Airport has adopted a three-step approach to assessing and reducing the risk posed by wildlife to aircraft: 1. Hazard identification- Broad assessment of the airport’s hazard profile, including aircraft movements, the habitat and activities that attract wildlife both on and off airport, the species most observed on and off airport, and the trends observed in wildlife strikes 2. Risk assessment – a risk assessment based on the information available on wildlife numbers, behaviour, characteristics and/or strikes for each species encountered on and around the airport 3. WHMP – a plan comprising actions for each of the highest risk species, supported by a summary of their relevant characteristics, identified by key airport staff that help the airport reduce the degree of risk and meet its Wildlife management goals and objectives
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3.1. Hazard Identification 3.1.1. Aircraft movements and types Generally, the more aircraft movements at an aerodrome the greater the chances of wildlife strike. Different aircraft have different susceptibility to wildlife strikes. Large turbo fan aircraft tend to fly fast, have a large frontal surface area, have a great sucking power through their engines, rendering them more likely to strike wildlife than propeller driven aircraft. In Australia, Regular Passenger Transport (RPT) aircraft are 16 times more likely to report a strike than GA aircraft.1 In comparison, light aircraft are not subject to the same rigorous design standards imposed on commercial jet aircraft. It is therefore important to identify current and projected trends for aircraft movements, such as that provided in Table 2 below. Table 2 – Townsville Airport aircraft movement information 2010 Aircraft Category RPT Helicopter Military General Aviation Grand Total
Total 25598 1904 10761 27405 65668
3.1.2. On airport hazards Habitats Habitat types at Townsville Airport that can be attractive to wildlife are identified in Figure 2 on the following page and include:
Regional ecosystem 11.1.1: Sporobolus virginicus grassland on marine clay plains Structure category Very sparse Description: Sporobolus virginicus grassland on Quaternary estuarine deposits. Sporobolus spp. usually dominates pure stands although a wide range of other species may be present as scattered individuals including Fimbristylis ferruginea, Cyperus victoriensis, C. scariosus, and sometimes Eleocharis spiralis, Mnesithea rottboellioides, Marsilea mutica, Cynanchum carnosum, Ischaemum australe, Cyperus polystachyos, Ceratopteris thalictroides and Leptochloa fusca. Occasional emergent stunted mangroves, usually Avicennia marina or Ceriops tagal, may occur as isolated individuals or along small channels. There may also be a minor presence of salt-tolerant forbs such as Suaeda australis, S. arbusculoides, Sarcocornia quinqueflora subsp. quinqueflora or Tecticornia australasica. Occurs on supratidal flats which are often only inundated by highest spring tides. Often occurs on the landward side of intertidal flats; seaward margins irregularly inundated with tidal waters and dissected by small tidal channels. Formed from Quaternary estuarine sediments with deep grey or black and grey saline cracking clays with occasional mottling, minor gilgai occasionally present.
Regional ecosystem 11.2.1: Corymbia tessellaris woodland on flat coastal dunes Structure category Sparse Description: Open woodland of Corymbia tessellaris, C. clarksoniana and Melaleuca viridiflora (which may be locally dominant). Other associated species include Acacia crassicarpa, Pandanus spiralis and Acacia spp. The ground layer is generally grassy and includes species such as Heteropogon contortus and various forbs. Occurs on flat Quaternary coastal dunes.
1
ATSB 2008. An analysis of Australian birdstrike occurrences 2002 to 2006.
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Regional ecosystem 11.2.5 : Corymbia-Melaleuca woodland complex of beach ridges and swales Structure category Sparse Description: Beach ridge woodland with Melaleuca dealbata in swales and Corymbia tessellaris woodland on Quaternary dune systems. Ridges: Usually woodland to open forest of Corymbia tessellaris with occasional Acacia crassicarpa, Cupaniopsis anacardioides, Pleiogynium timorense and Terminalia muelleri. A sparse to dense shrublayer may include Acacia oraria, A. crassicarpa, Planchonia careya, Alphitonia excelsa, Exocarpos latifolius, Senna surattensis and Dodonaea viscosa. Groundlayer includes Aphyllodium biarticulatum, Themeda triandra, Heteropogon contortus, Elionurus citreus, Aristida holathera, Cymbopogon refractus and Perotis rara. Swales: Open forest of Melaleuca dealbata, (sometimes M. leucadendra or M. viridiflora), Livistona drudei or L. decora, with shrubs of Pandanus spiralis. Groundlayer of Chrysopogon filipes, Imperata cylindrica, Sporobolus virginicus and Lepturus repens. In some areas sedges are common, including Cyperus javanicus, Fimbristylis dichotoma, F. polytrichoides. Small vines are commonly present including Cynanchum carnosum, Abrus precatorius, and Jasminum didymum. Occurs on Quaternary undulating stabilised dunes with narrow linear depressions. Associated soils are generally well drained siliceous sands, swales with humic hydrosols Major vegetation communities include: 11.2.5a: Woodland to open forest of E. tereticornis x platyphylla with Corymbia tessellaris and occasional M viridiflora 11.2.5b: Palustrine wetland (e.g. vegetated swamp). Swales: Open forest of Melaleuca dealbata, (sometimes M. leucadendra or M. viridiflora), Livistona drudei or L. decora, with shrubs of Pandanus spiralis. Groundlayer of Chrysopogon filipes, Imperata cylindrica, Sporobolus virginicus and Lepturus repens. In some areas sedges are common, including Cyperus javanicus, Fimbristylis dichotoma, F. polytrichoides. Small vines are commonly present including Cynanchum carnosum, Abrus precatorius and Jasminum didymum.
Regional ecosystem 11.3.27 : Freshwater wetlands Structure category Sparse Description: Freshwater wetlands. Vegetation is variable including open water with or without aquatic species and fringing sedgelands and eucalypt woodlands. Occurs in a variety of situations including lakes, billabongs, oxbows and depressions on floodplains. 11.3.27x1a: Palustrine wetland (e.g. vegetated swamp). Sedgelands to grasslands on old marine planes. Often occurs as an Eleocharis spp. (E. dulcis, E. sphacelata) sedgeland but a variety of other species dominate in local areas including Typha orientalis, Cyperus alopecuroides, Phragmites australis and Ludwigia octovalvis. A range of other sedges, grasses small shrubs and herbs (
