Kingscote Airport Master Plan Apr 2010 - Kangaroo Island Council

KINGSCOTE AIRPORT MASTER PLAN
Environmental Considerations
Off-Airport Land Use
Areas close to the airport need to be managed to ensure hazards to aircraft are not created
through poor planning or management practices. Developments such as landfills, feedlots,
sewage lagoons, and some agricultural activities can attract large numbers of birds so
appropriate planning controls and management practices are needed.
There is also a need to prevent obstacle intrusion into airspace not only through the control
of man made structures but also the control of trees especially in areas close to the runway
ends. Aircraft approach, takeoff and side transitional areas are continually for monitored tree
growth, which if left uncontrolled would increase the risks of flying and reduce aircraft
payloads. In normal circumstances regular trimming takes place without any significant loss.
In the period beyond the master plan time frame, should runway lengthening be required,
some tree removal will be necessary.
At the northern end of the main runway, the takeoff surface is already protected for the
ultimate runway end through the use of an extended clearway, so continuation of the existing
tree trimming programme will also meet long term requirements.
At the southern end, the takeoff fight path is over open farm land with isolated native trees. It
is unlikely land acquisition will be needed as any foreseeable runway extension will remain
within the existing aerodrome boundary. A runway extension would necessitate only the
removal / trimming of a limited number of trees. The effect could be readily offset by
replacement planting in areas clear of future flight paths
Protection of flora and fauna
The airport has substantial tracts of land containing native plants, some which are rare or
endangered species and are subsequently monitored by the Department of Environment and
Heritage. The areas are shown overleaf on Plan on Figure 5 and are clear of the parts of
the runway required for future aviation development.
Heritage
There are no known areas on the airport containing items of cultural or heritage significance.
Stormwater discharge
Stormwater runoff from buildings and aprons travels via open unlined channels and
underground pipes to discharge points at the aerodrome perimeter. From here the water
flows via creeks and dams and eventually to open sea east of the aerodrome.
Increased stormwater runoff from building and pavement development within the master plan
time frame is unlikely to generate sufficient change to warrant installation of new drainage
systems. The most likely outcome would be a need to widen some of the existing channels
where necessary to increase short term runoff detention.
The absence of industrial activities suggests the problem of pollutants entering the system is
minimal. On exception would be if refuelling is introduced on areas that can flow into
stormwater drains. In these cases controls such as interceptor pits, plate separators etc can
be incorporated into facility designs in order to minimise the risk of pollution.
Land acquisition
This Master Plan does not foresee a need to acquire additional airport land within the next 15
years.
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