[Peetwo]

Speaking of the Feds??

Slight thread drift here but while on the subject of the AFAP, remember this from almost a year ago...

O&O report: AI-2018-010 - The approval processes for the Bulla Road Precinct Retail Outlet Centre 

Via the Oz:

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Essendon Airport report delays slammed

ROBYN IRONSIDE
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The aftermath of the DFO crash on February 21, 2017. Picture: Jason Edwards

• 12:00AM FEBRUARY 7, 2020
  
  
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An investigation into the building approvals process for land at Essendon Airport is taking almost twice as long as the plane crash investigation that triggered it.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau began its examination of the approvals process for the Bulla Road Precinct Retail Outlet Centre almost three years ago, after the crash of a King Air B200 into the DFO building on February 21, 2017.

All five people aboard the charter flight to King Island — pilot Max Quartermain and four American tourists — were killed in the incident.

The final report on the crash was released in September 2018, but more than a year later the related investigation into the potential hazard posed by buildings around the airport is still going.
Information obtained by the Australian Federation of Air Pilots under freedom of information laws showed the draft report was actually released to “interested parties” in November 2018.

Subsequently the investigator-in-charge contacted the coroner, saying the final report was due to be released in mid-December.

But that date came and went and more than a year later, AFAP is still waiting for the ATSB to release the report. In a letter to ATSB chief commissioner Greg Hood, AFAP safety and technical officer Julian Smibert sought an explanation.

“During these delays in the publication of the report, development at Essendon Airport has continued unabated, including further construction within the OLS (obstacle limitation surface) and the narrowing of the runway in order to facilitate more construction,” Mr Smibert wrote.

“In addition the maximum permitted mass of aircraft using the airport has been increased from 45 to 50 tonnes, despite the reduction in runway width.”

The ATSB’s investigation summary showed the report on the approvals process was now due to be released by the end of next month.

An ATSB spokesman said the report had been delayed by detailed feedback from directly involved parties that prompted more discussion.

“A second draft of the investigation report incorporating and addressing feedback from all parties was provided to them on 30 September 2019,” he said.

The process was made more complex by the fact the approval process was put in place nearly 20 years ago, he added.

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Hmm...maybe this might help explain the delay...


Ref: https://auntypru.com/setting-the-odds-and-playing-em/

The AFAP concerns around Federal government safety risk mitigation policy in regards to commercial development around airports, has been further highlighted several times in their allied submissions with AIPA (ie AusALPA) 

(Refer to submission 14 to Sterlo's current inquiry: 14 Australian & International Pilots Association  (PDF 1543 KB)  (from about page 17))

...To be clear, AusALPA recognises that the economic decisions surrounding airports, i.e. determining the balance between the economic benefits of developments and the detriments to the accessibility, efficiency and capacity of an airport, rest entirely with the relevant jurisdiction within which the airport is situated or which retains legal control. The issues of enforceability and dispute resolution of development approvals would remain consistent with those jurisdictional norms.

However, contrary to current practice, we are proposing that the assessment, mitigation and enforcement of the safety consequences of all relevant developments be ceded by those jurisdictions to CASA as an independent decision-maker.

Consequently, CASA needs to change its model of how airport standards are applied and enforced so as to obviate the gaming of the system so exemplified by the Essendon experience or by the uncontrolled expansion of the thousands of airspace penetrations at Sydney. As a further consequence, DITCRD should seek major amendments to the Airports Act 1996 that change the current subservient and excessively constrained role attributed to CASA and that also clarify the safety considerations that ABCs must undertake in regard to minor developments.

Furthermore, we are proposing that the visibility of developments affecting the safety outcomes at airports is vastly improved in all jurisdictions.

The public interest is best served by accepting that the potential hazard created by a development on or near an airport is not a function of cost but rather the amalgam of the issues set out in the Guidelines. Each jurisdiction should commit to a public register of development proposals that may present a potential hazard to safe airport operations, enhanced by a published list of stakeholders who are alerted to each new relevant development submitted to the jurisdiction for approval...

With that in mind, now check out the latest (typically unannounced) update to the ATSB Essendon DFO approval process investigation, remembering that this was the last Hooded Canary weasel worded committment made: 

Further investigation

In Quarter 4 of 2019, a draft report on the ATSB’s investigation into the Bulla Road Precinct approval was distributed to directly involved parties for comment.

During the review process, the ATSB determined that further evidence was required to consider the effect of the revocation of instrument 153/15. This has necessitated re-engagement with the airport operator, CASA, the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications, and the International Civil Aviation Organization.

Should safety issue/s be identified during the course of this ongoing investigation, relevant parties will be immediately notified so that appropriate safety action can be taken.

An amended draft report is expected to be distributed to directly involved parties in Quarter 4 of 2020.

Latest from the ATSB investigation webpage:

Anticipated completion: 1st Quarter 2021

Last update 15 January 2021
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ATSB investigation/coverup - Update: 23/06/21

General details
General details
Date: 21 February 2017 Investigation status: Active
Investigation level: Systemic - click for an explanation of investigation levels
Location  (show map): Essendon Airport, Bulla Road Precinct Retail Outlet Centre Investigation phase: Final report: Approval
State: Victoria
Release date: 10 September 2020
Report status: Pending
Anticipated completion: 3rd Quarter 2021

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Last update 01 June 2021

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Status: Active 


Phase: Final report: Approval Read more information on this investigation phase

Hmm...NO COMMENT!   

MTF...P2