A draft report issued from CASA's Office of Airspace Regulation (OAR) has recommended a Certified Air/Ground Radio Service (CA/GRS) be established at Ballina Byron Gateway Airport by June next year.
The recommendation is in response to a growth in aircraft movements that is expected to reach 21,800 by the end of 2015, and an increase in passenger traffic to an expected 470,000 by June 2016.
"In this context and in line with Government’s priorities for the safety of passenger transport services, provision of a CA/GRS at Ballina would be a proactive response to the expected increase in passengers which is expected to exceed 500,000 per annum by the end of 2016," the reports states.
"The primary purpose of a CA/GRS or AFIS is to enhance the safety of air transport aircraft operations by providing relevant traffic information. The Government also considers the safety of passenger transport services as the first priority in airspace administration."
Most stakeholders interviewed for the report supported the plan for a trial GA/GRS, even though the OAR assessed the chances of a "separation incident" as unlikely.
In the period 2009-14, 71 incidents were reported at Ballina, of which 48 were wildlife or bird strikes. Aircraft separation accounted for 11 incidents, of which six involved regular public transport.
The draft report also recommends that the Evans Head frequency be separated from Ballina/Lismore to ease frequency congestion, and that CASA continues to monitor traffic levels to establish if the airport should become controlled.
The draft report is on the CASA website and is open for public comment until 7 August.