Airspace Development & Crane Controls

The protection of the immediate airspace around Townsville Airport is essential to ensure that we maintain a safe operating environment and to provide future growth for the Airport.

View the Combined Obstacle Application form here

International standards have been adopted which define two sets of invisible surfaces above the ground around an airport. The airspace above these surfaces forms the airport’s prescribed airspace. These two surfaces are the: 
 

• Obstacle Limitation Surface (OLS); and 
• Terminal Instrument Flight Procedure Obstacle Protection Surface (TIFPOP Surface)

All obstacles (building/crane) activity with the potential to penetrate the OLS and/or TIFPOP Surface MUST be assessed for approval.

A Copy of the OLS at Townsville airport can be provided on email request to aviation@tsvairport.com.au

Under the Airports (Protection of Airspace) Regulations 2026, a system has been established for the protection of prescribed airspace at and around regulated airports, such as the Townsville Airport. The Regulations define ‘prescribed airspace’ for an airport, which includes the airspace above any part of either the OLS or a TIFPOP surface. These regulations apply to both on-airport and off-airport developments and activities. 
A controlled activity is an activity that, if undertaken, would result in an intrusion into prescribed airspace. i.e., penetration of either the OLS or the TIFPOP surface on either a permanent or temporary basis. Controlled Activities include the following: 

• Structures (buildings, skyscrapers, etc.) Constructing a building or other structure that intrudes into the prescribed airspace.
• Altering a building or other structure that intrudes into the prescribed airspace.
• Any other activity that causes a thing attached to, or in physical contact with, the ground to intrude into prescribed airspace.
• Any activity that results in air turbulence, where the level of the turbulence caused by an emission from a stack or vent is upward vertical velocity of 6.1m per second at the point of emission (e.g. plumes, etc.).

An application for a temporary obstacle must provide a completed obstacle notification form to Townsville Airport.

An application will not be complete until an AirServices Australia assessment has been completed and received by Townsville Airport. Applicants be advised that AirServices Australia assessment times can take over 8 weeks.

Once this assessment has been received Townsville Airport will begin to process the application and has 40 working days to make a decision on a application.

Where a proposed Obstacle is to intrude a Primary or TIFPOP surface, then the applicant must request permission to apply from Townsville Airport

An application for a Permanent obstacle must provide a completed obstacle notification form to Townsville Airport. 

An application will not be complete until an AirServices Australia assessment has been completed and received by Townsville Airport. Applicants be advised that AirServices Australia assessment times can take over 8 weeks.

Once this assessment has been received Townsville Airport will begin to process the application and has 40 working days to make a decision on an application.

An Applicant will not be given permission to apply for a permanent obstacle that intrudes the TIFPOP or Primary Surfaces.

The Airport will conduct the initial assessment of the application in terms of: 

• Whether the activity results in an intrusion into the OLS or TIFPOP surface; 
• The extent of the intrusion; and 
• The precise location of the development or activity. 

The Airport is required to invite the following organisations to assess or comment on an application: 

• The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).
• Airservices Australia – for assessments of proposals resulting in a penetration of the TIFPOPS surface or temporary redirection of flight paths.
• Department of Defence.
• The local council authority responsible for building approvals.

If you wish to make an application but need advice to assist with the final application, please contact the Aviation Regulatory Compliance Officer on 07 4727 3205  or email aviation@tsvairport.com.au