Notice of Declaration of Security Controlled Airport and Airside Area – Olympic Dam Airport

Overview

The Aviation Transport Security Act 2004, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, addresses the need to enhance security measures within the aviation sector, aiming to prevent unlawful interference with civil aviation and protect the safety of passengers, crew, and the general public. The Act establishes a framework for security control at airports, ensuring that appropriate measures are in place to safeguard against threats to aviation security. The policy objective of the Act is to provide for the security of aircraft, aerodromes, and other places associated with civil aviation, and to establish a regime for the regulation of aviation security measures. This legislative instrument revokes a previous notice that declared Olympic Dam Airport as a security controlled airport, and establishes new boundaries for the airport's security controlled area, thereby ensuring that the appropriate security measures are in place to address any potential threats to aviation safety.

Scope and Application

The Aviation Transport Security Act 2004 applies to various persons, entities, and conduct associated with aviation transport security in Australia. Specifically, the Act governs the declaration of security controlled airports and airside areas, ensuring that these critical zones are properly identified and managed to prevent security threats. This legislation extends its reach across the Commonwealth of Australia, thereby encompassing all states and territories within its scope. The Act also allows for the establishment of airside areas, which are regions of an airport where access is strictly controlled to ensure the security of aircraft and passengers. Notably, this Act can be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments, providing flexibility in its application. Exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds are not explicitly detailed within the scope of this particular Notice, which specifically revokes a previous declaration and establishes a new security controlled airport and airside area for Olympic Dam Airport. This Notice is effective upon publication in the Gazette and remains in force until revoked in writing and published again in the Gazette.

Key Provisions

The key provisions of the notice revolve around the reclassification and declaration of Olympic Dam Airport under the Aviation Transport Security Act 2004 (the Act). The notice revokes the previous declaration of Olympic Dam Airport as a security controlled airport (subsection 28(2) of the Act), which was made by Notice A03688 published in the Gazette (No. S 87, 28 June 2012). In its place, the notice declares Olympic Dam Airport as a security controlled airport once again (subsection 28(2) of the Act), with the specific boundaries of the airport clearly delineated on an attached map. Furthermore, the notice establishes an airside area for Olympic Dam Airport, the boundaries of which are also indicated on the attached map (section 29 of the Act). The notice takes effect upon its publication in the Gazette. Under the Act, the notice imposes obligations on the parties and entities that operate within the newly defined security controlled airport and airside area at Olympic Dam Airport. These obligations likely include compliance with security measures and protocols set forth by the Act, ensuring that all activities within the airport and airside area adhere to stringent security standards. This encompasses the implementation of security checks, surveillance, and other protective measures to safeguard against potential threats to aviation security. Breaches of the obligations imposed by the Act may lead to serious consequences. The Act stipulates that violations of the security provisions can result in both civil and criminal penalties. For example, an individual or entity found in breach of the security requirements may face criminal charges, potentially leading to substantial fines or imprisonment. The exact penalties are not specified in the notice, but they can include fines up to the maximum limits prescribed by the Act and/or imprisonment terms that reflect the severity of the breach. The notice also indicates that it remains in effect until revoked in writing and published in the Gazette, ensuring that the security measures remain enforced until formally altered.