Under Part 5 of the Commonwealth Airports Act 1996, development on 22 federal airport sites is subject to Commonwealth planning controls. The operators of these airports are required to prepare 20 year Master Plans, and to update these Master Plans every five years.
Planning for the areas surrounding these airports is subject to State, Territory and Local Government control, as the Australian Constitution establishes that State and Territory Governments have principal responsibility for planning and land management. State and Territory Governments also control “on-airport” development for the airports that they own and operate, whilst many smaller airports are owned by Local Governments or are privately owned.
States and Territories work together with Local Governments in the implementation of their planning and urban development responsibilities. State and Territory Governments control development around airports through legislation or policy and undertake strategic planning for urban and regional development.
Australian Capital Territory
Land use planning is overseen by the ACT Planning and Land Authority, which administers the Planning and Development Act 2007 giving effect to:
- Territory Plan; and
- Spatial Plan.
The National Capital Authority administers the Australian Capital Territory (Planning and Land Management) Act 1988, which gives effect to the National Capital Plan.
New South Wales
Land use planning is overseen by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment, which administers the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 giving effect to:
- State Environmental Planning Policy (Transport and Infrastructure) 2021; and
- Local Planning Direction 5.3 Development Near Regulated Airports and Defence Airfields.
Northern Territory
Land use planning is overseen by the Department of Lands, Planning and the Environment, which administers the Planning Act 1993 giving effect to:
Defence (Areas Control) Regulations 1989 also apply specifically to Darwin Airport surrounds and Tindal Aerodrome.
Queensland
Land use planning is overseen by the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, which administers the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 giving effect to:
- State Planning Policy and associated Guidelines
South Australia
Land use planning is overseen by the Department of Transport, Planning and Infrastructure, which administers the Development Act 1993 giving effect to:
Victoria
Land use planning is overseen by the Department of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructure which administers the Planning & Environment Act 1987 giving effect to:
- Melbourne Planning Scheme; and
- Victorian Planning Provisions, including the Melbourne Airport Environs Overlay.
Western Australia
Land use planning is overseen by the Planning Western Australia, which administers the Planning & Development Act 2005 giving effect to:
- State Planning Policy 5.1—Land Use Planning in the Vicinity of Perth Airport
- State Planning Policy 5.3—Jandakot Airport Vicinity
Tasmania
Land use planning is overseen by the Tasmanian Planning Commission, which administers the Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993.