Q: What is an Airport Building Controller?

A: The Secretary of the department has appointed an Airport Building Controller (ABC) at each core-regulated airport. The ABC is responsible for ensuring that activities at these airports meet the appropriate building and engineering standards.

Building and construction activities at 'core-regulated' airports must be approved by the Airport Building Controller (ABC). The ABC is appointed under the Airports Act 1996 and the Airports (Building Control) Regulations 1996 (the regulations) to administer the airport building control regime. Airport Lessee Companies (ALCs) must also approve the activity from a planning and airport operational perspective.

Legislation to give effect to the transfer of airspace regulatory function from Airservices to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority was enacted by the Parliament and came into force on 1 July 2007.

As an International Civil Aviation Organization contracting State, Australia has an aviation State Safety Program which demonstrates Australia’s aviation safety management systems approach to risk management.

This policy statement confirms that Australia’s Government aviation agencies will adopt a common approach to risk management in relation to the assessment of airspace and air traffic management.