Your Questions Answered

Kempsey Airport is an important piece of transport infrastructure that has been operating in its current location on Sherwood Road, Aldavilla since 1936.

It has been identified as an enabling industry and engine of growth by the Hastings Macleay Regional Economic Development Strategy.

In 2019 when adopting the Kempsey Airport Noise Management Plan, Council resolved to develop an Airport Master Plan, inclusive of  Australian Noise Exposure Forecast (ANEF) noise modeling, to inform Council's land-use planning instruments. 

The Master Plan provides a strategic vision for Kempsey Airport. It exists to protect and promote the Airport as a significant community and commercial asset and to safeguard long-term aviation operations.   

Once approved, it will act as the basis for:

• the timely and coordinated development of aviation facilities and infrastructure
• determining aviation and non-aviation land use, and 
• appropriate management of the airport environment

All short and long-term future infrastructure development opportunities at the airport will be assessed through the Master Plan (as it connects with local planning and development instruments) and in line with Civil Aviation Safety Regulations and Standards and best practice.

The Airport Master Plan also provides ANEF noise modeling for forecast aircraft activity at the Airport up until 2042, using international noise modeling standards. 

The vision outlined on page 42 of the Master Plan is as follows:

• Kempsey Airport must be protected and promoted as a significant community and commercial asset and safeguarded for long term aviation operations
• A commitment must be maintained to Kempsey Airport becoming a financially sustainable stand-alone business operation, through the implementation of revenue maximising commercial opportunities as appropriate
• Operational management of the airport must ensure safe aircraft operations, protection of airspace and compliance with relevant regulations
• To provide updated facilities to properly support emergency service aircraft operations including RFDS and CareFlight aeromedical services and NSW Fire Service emergency response
• To promote Kempsey Airport as a competitive destination for aerospace industry businesses and provide suitable airport infrastructure for commercial hangar precinct development
• To support and encourage the growth of traditional general aviation commercial charter and training organisations and private recreational aviation activity and provide suitable infrastructure for a second general aviation precinct development
• To support the development of the proposed adventure recreation park facility
• To ensuring future development remains compatible with Kempsey Airport Noise Management Plan and Fly Neighbourly Advice.

The Master Plan includes recent Council initiatives to upgrade and develop the Kempsey Airport facilities including: 

• Planning and construction for the Macleay Valley Adventure Park 
• A new wildlife fence 
• Upgrades to the existing general aviation pavement and apron areas and closure of the existing grass runway.

A comprehensive stakeholder consultation plan was carried out from 14 July – 20 October 2022 to give local community and aviation stakeholders the best chance to have their say in the development of the Master Plan. This included:

• face to face interviews
• telephone and online interviews
• email surveys
• a page on Council’s Your Say Macleay inviting interested parties to book a meeting
• online promotion of that page

 The following stakeholders were engaged:

Overall there were three key themes to the feedback: 

• Stakeholders want to support the growth of Kempsey Airport
• Kempsey Airport has unrealised potential for commercial and private general aviation growth
• Landing fees require further attention

The specific concerns have been summarised below and assessed for whether they are within the scope of the Master Plan.

In October a draft Master Plan was shown to stakeholders. Of the two final development options presented, one option was unanimously preferred by the stakeholders who were engaged, and this option has been adopted as the basis for the Master Plan.

Aircraft noise is an unavoidable consequence of aircraft operations.

While promoting the economic and community benefits of Kempsey Airport, Kempsey Shire Council, as Aerodrome Operator, is committed to closely monitoring and mitigating the impact of noise on the neighbouring community. 

Council’s approach to managing aircraft noise is guided by the Kempsey Airport Noise Management Plan. This is delivered through the Fly Neighbourly Agreement (FNA), with specific mitigation measures replicated within the En Route Supplement Australia (ERSA).  

The following documents, measures and procedures guide noise mitigation at Kempsey Airport:

• Noise Management Plan
• Fly Neighbourhood Agreement
• En Route Supplement Australia
• Noise Modelling
• Number Above Contours
• Australian Noise Exposure Forecast
• Australian Noise Exposure Concept
• Kempsey Local Environmental Plan 2013

The Airport Master Plan further supports these documents, through the provision of improved noise modelling data.

In response to increased aircraft activity, Council developed a Noise Management Plan for Kempsey Airport in 2019.   

The planning process included a review of flying operations, consultation with Airport stakeholders, neighbouring residents and community groups and a noise monitoring study.  

The noise monitoring study recorded noise data at 17 locations surrounding the Airport over eight weeks and assessed the results in the context of Australian standards.  

Please note, by comparison, the noise modelling presented in the Airport Master Plan is not based on any noise levels recorded on the ground. It relies on a standardised theoretical model, using recognised forecast activity and aircraft types, designated flight paths, and aircraft technical specifications to produce an estimated noise footprint.

Ultimately, the Noise Management Plan guides Council’s management of the Airport through a range of noise management measures to mitigate the impact of noise, including the introduction of a Fly Neighbourly Agreement. 

A key recommendation of the Noise Management Plan was: 

“it is recommended that an ANEF study be undertaken, as well as the production of ‘Number Above’ N60, N65 and N70 contours for Kempsey Airport”.

The draft Airport Master Plan contains ANEF and Number Above charts. 

The 2019 implementation of the Kempsey Airport Fly Neighbourly Agreement (FNA), was a significant noise management initiative.

The FNA is a Voluntary Agreement applicable to all aircraft operators at Kempsey Airport.  

The FNA provides a range of noise mitigation measures, including guidance on:

• noise-sensitive areas;
• circuit training operations, including prescribed hours of operation; 
• flight procedures; and
• ground operating procedures.

En Route Supplement Australia (ERSA) is Airservices Australia’s official publication providing aircraft operators with vital aerodrome information for flight planning.  

The noise mitigation measures presented in the Kempsey Airport FNA are replicated (and formalised) as Noise Abatement Procedures within the Kempsey Aerodrome ERSA entry. 

SoundIN Pty Ltd has undertaken noise modelling to assess the proposals contained within the Kempsey Airport Master Plan 2042.  

The modelling is based on estimated future activity at the Airport until 2042 and considers:

• types of movements (e.g. circuit training, skydiving or travel to and from various destinations using existing flight paths); 
• the forecast frequency of movements, based on mid-range estimates of growth; 
• expected runway direction; and
• the aircraft types and associated noise outputs.

The noise modelling produces Australian Noise Exposure Concept (ANEC) and Australian Noise Exposure Forecast (ANEF) charts. 

These are charts that assess the disturbance caused by aircraft noise, developed under standardised procedures.

Number Above contours model aircraft noise based on forecast aircraft movement and present that information in a format more easily interpreted by the community than an ANEF.

They show how many “noisy” events could be expected in an area on a typical day. 

The National Airport Safeguarding Framework Guideline A, Attachment 1, provides detailed information on these metrics (https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/1.3_Guideline_A_attachment1.pdf)

Typically a Number Above chart will indicate the frequency of 70 dB(A) events.  

70Db(A) is preferred as a guide for disturbance and is considered the level of noise that would disrupt someone watching television or having a conversation.  

An N70=20 contour suggests that the area within the contour could be exposed to up to 20 noise events of 70 dB(A) on an average day.

The forecast operations at Kempsey Airport through to 2042 do not generate enough noise to produce an N70-20 contour.  

To provide further information, N70-10 (i.e. up to ten events at 70dB(A)), as well as N65=10 and N60-10 contour maps are provided (i.e. up to ten noise events of 65 dB(A) and 60 dB(A)).  

For reference, 60dB(A) is considered roughly the noise level of a standard conversation.  

An Australian Noise Exposure Forecast (ANEF) relies on the same modelling used for Number Above countours to produce an overall score of noise disturbance, known as a contour number (e.g. ANEF 20).

The contour number is based on the frequency and intensity of noise events, with adjustments for noise sensitivity at night.  

A higher contour number represents larger cumulative amounts of aircraft noise and disturbance over an average one-year period. 

An ANEF must be reviewed and endorsed by Airservices Australia to confirm the modelling is compliant with standard procedures.  

The ANEF scores are plotted on a contour map, showing the expected footprint of aircraft noise surrounding an aerodrome (i.e. noise exposure contours). 

Airservices Australia approves ANEF maps displaying scores from 20 through to 40 ANEF units. The ANEF units are not decibel measurements, they are contours based on cumulative noise over a year and correlate to expected community reaction to aircraft noise.  

Below contour 20, it is generally accepted that noise exposure is not of significant concern, however, it is important to recognise that individuals will perceive noise differently, and there may be individual exceptions. W

ithin the area between the 20 to 25 ANEF contour, levels of noise are generally accepted to emerge as an environmental problem, and within the 25 ANEF contour the noise exposure becomes progressively more severe. 

Forecast operations at Kempsey Airport through until 2042 generate a small ANEF 20 footprint, largely contained within the airport precinct itself. It does not encroach any residential areas.  

To provide further guidance to the community, an ANEF 15 chart is also provided within the SoundIN report. 

Any development, including residential development, or other noise-sensitive developments - such as a hospital, childcare or school -developed within an ANEF 15 exposure contour, would not typically require any modifications or adjustments due to aircraft noise.  

The Australian Noise Exposure Concept (ANEC) is a contour map using the same principles as the ANEF, however the mapping has not (or has not yet) been authorised by Airservices Australia.

The ANEC for Kempsey Airport 2043 is shown below.

Kempsey’s Local Environmental Plan includes provisions to ensure that future planning and development neighbouring the airport aligns with the Airport Master Plan.

This includes provisions to monitor the location and height of development in proximity to the airport, as well as the noise sensitivity of the development. 

In accordance with industry standards, the Kempsey Local Environmental Plan requires a development authority to consider the adverse effects of a development within the ANEF 20 contour.  

The 2042 ANEF 20 contour map has a minimal impact on planning and development as its footprint is almost entirely contained within the airport itself.

The community is encouraged to provide feedback to let us know whether we’ve got the Master Plan right or if there is anything missing.

Submissions can be made by the following methods: 

1. Fill out our short survey on the draft Kempsey Airport Management Plan.
2. Make a more comprehensive, formal submission, using the online submission tool; by email to ksc@kempsey.nsw.gov.au or mailed to:

The General Manager
Kempsey Shire Council
PO Box 3078
West Kempsey
NSW 2440

The Kempsey Airport Master Plan is on public exhibition until 4pm Friday 19 May 2023

Following the exhibition period, Council will review the submissions and update the Kempsey Airport Master Plan.

The Master Plan will then be presented at the ordinary meeting of Council in June 2023 for adoption.