Notice of Declaration of Security Controlled Airport and Airside Area – Coffs Harbour Regional Airport

Overview

The Aviation Transport Security Act 2004, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, addresses the need for stringent security measures in the aviation sector to protect against acts of unlawful interference. The Act establishes a comprehensive framework for securing airports and aircraft, ensuring passenger safety, and maintaining the integrity of the national aviation system. This legislative measure was introduced to fill a critical gap in aviation security provisions, responding to the growing concerns of unlawful interference and terrorism threats within the aviation industry. The policy objective of the Act is to provide a robust security regime that safeguards the aviation sector, thereby protecting the travelling public and supporting the smooth operation of air transport services. Through this Act, the Australian government aims to enhance the security protocols at airports, ensuring that they meet international standards and effectively mitigate potential risks.

Scope and Application

The Aviation Transport Security Act 2004 applies to various entities and persons involved in aviation transport security, including airports and airlines operating within Australia. This particular notice, issued under the authority of the Director, Transport Security Operations, pertains specifically to Coffs Harbour Regional Airport, altering its designation from a previously declared security controlled airport to a security controlled airport with defined boundaries. The notice establishes an airside area for the airport, delineating the specific areas subject to heightened security measures under the Act. The geographic reach of the Act extends across the Commonwealth of Australia, with the revocation and re-declaration of Coffs Harbour Regional Airport as a security controlled airport impacting all relevant parties operating within the newly defined boundaries. The Act also provides for the extension or restriction of its application through subordinate instruments, allowing for the implementation of detailed security protocols and measures tailored to individual airports. This particular notice revokes the previous declaration of the airport as a security controlled airport and re-establishes it with specific boundaries, ensuring that the security measures are appropriately aligned with the current operational and security needs of the airport.

Key Provisions

The key operative sections of the Aviation Transport Security Act 2004 involved in this declaration include subsection 28(2) which empowers the Director, Transport Security Operations, to revoke or declare an airport as a security controlled airport (subsection 28(2)). Additionally, section 29 of the Act is referenced for the establishment of an airside area for the airport. In this case, Notice NTC-11633, which previously declared Coffs Harbour Regional Airport as a security controlled airport, is revoked (subsection 28(2)) and a new declaration is made, as per the attached map that outlines the boundaries of the airport and its airside area. The obligations and requirements imposed by this Act on the parties or entities it governs include maintaining stringent security measures at declared airports. The declaration of an airport as a security controlled airport means that the airport must adhere to specific security protocols to ensure the safety and security of air transport operations. This involves implementing security measures, such as screening passengers and their belongings, controlling access to the airside area, and ensuring that all personnel and aircraft comply with security regulations. Furthermore, the establishment of an airside area, as per section 29, specifies the exact boundaries within which these security measures must be enforced. The Act also delineates various offences and penalties for breaches of its provisions. While the specific penalties are not detailed in this notice, the Act generally provides for both civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance. Civil penalties can include fines, while criminal penalties can include imprisonment, reflecting the seriousness with which the Act treats security breaches. The exact penalties depend on the nature and severity of the breach, and are outlined in other sections of the Act. It is important for all parties involved to comply with the Act to avoid these potential consequences.