POLICIES 10.6 Powered aircraft
Powered aircraft are used extensively in and over national parks for a wide range of purposes. Measures need to be taken to avoid the adverse impact of aircraft on the natural state of a national park, and on the enjoyment by people of natural quiet.
Section 17ZF of the Conservation Act 1987 governs the landing (including hovering) and taking off of aircraft in national parks.
POLICIES
10.6(a) A national park management plan should specify sites where the landing, hovering and take-off of aircraft may be authorised and the extent to which the activity may be undertaken at any site. This may include the number, frequency and purpose of permitted landings.
10.6(b) The landing, hovering and taking off of aircraft should be authorised only where:
- i) it is consistent with the outcomes planned for a place; and
- ii) adverse effects on national park values, including natural quiet, can be minimised.
10.6(c) The Department should work with aviation controlling authorities, aircraft operators and other interested parties to prevent the adverse effects of over-flights on national park values, including the enjoyment of people on the ground.
10.6(d) Aircraft may land anywhere in a national park where essential for national park management purposes, subject to active consideration of ways to avoid adverse effects on national park values and the benefit, use and enjoyment of the public.
10.6(e) The use of aircraft for commercial wild animal control may be authorised where necessary to maximise the effectiveness of actions planned and undertaken to control such animals, while having regard to, and minimising the adverse effects on, outcomes planned for places.
10.6(f) A national park management plan should identify monitoring requirements for the use of aircraft and specify what actions should be taken to mitigate adverse effects arising, including, but not limited to, a reduction in landing sites, the imposition of "no fly" zones or periods, and use of quieter aircraft.
10.6(g) Aircraft may land anywhere in a national park for the purposes of search and rescue.
10.6(h) National park management plans should provide direction on how the Department will advocate the protection of national park values from the adverse effects of aircraft landings on land and waters adjoining the national park.
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