AUSTRALIAN SUPER HORNETDRAFT PUBLIC ENVIRONMENT REPORTfor Flying Operations of the Australian Super Hornet at RAAF Base Amberley

August 2009 (EPBC No. 2008/4410)

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Public Environment Report for Flying Operations of the Australian Super Hornet at RAAF Base Amberley (2008/4410)

August 2009

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Contents Glossary xii Executive Summary xv

1. Introduction 23

1.1. Overview 23 1.2. Project Proponent 25 1.3. The Public Environment Report Process 25 1.3.1. Objectives of the PER 26 1.3.2. Structure of the PER 27 1.3.3. Methodology of the PER 27 1.3.3.1. Desktop Environmental Review 28 1.3.3.2. Noise Impact Assessment 29 1.3.3.3. Air Quality Assessment 29 1.3.3.4. Aviation Risk Assessment 30 1.3.3.5. Social and Public Health Assessment 31 1.3.4. Submissions 31 1.4. Public Consultation Process 31 1.4.1. Submissions 32

2. Project Description 33

2.1. Project Justification 33 2.2. Project Background 34 2.2.1. RAAF Base Amberley 34 2.2.2. General Dynamics F-111 38 2.2.3. F/A-18F Super Hornet 39 2.2.4. Project Timing 40 2.2.5. Project Alternatives 41 2.3. Super Hornet Operations at RAAF Base Amberley 41 2.4. Flying Operations 42 2.4.1. Overview 42 2.4.2. Flight Paths 42 2.4.2.1. Departure Flight Paths 43 2.4.2.2. Arrival Flight Paths 43 2.4.2.3. Circuit Flight Paths 43 2.4.3. Flight Path Alternatives and Changes from F-111 Operations 49 2.4.3.1. Departure Alternatives 49 2.4.3.2. Arrival Alternatives 49 2.4.3.3. Circuit Alternatives 53 2.4.3.4. Technological Advances and Potential Changes to Flight Paths 53 2.4.4. Movement Numbers 53

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2.4.4.1. Comparison with F-111 Movement Numbers 54 2.4.5. Seasonal Variation in Aircraft Movements, Flight Paths and Runway Use 55 2.4.6. Ground Activities Associated with Flying Operations 55 2.4.6.1. Flight Line Engine Running 55 2.4.6.2. High Power Engine Running 57 2.5. Reliability of Forecasts 57 2.6. Project Assumptions 57

3. Legislative and Policy Framework 58

3.1. Commonwealth Legislation 58 3.2. State Legislation 59 3.3. Local Government Policy and Planning 59 3.3.1. State Planning Policy 1/02 60 3.4. Defence Policy 60 3.4.1. Defence Environment Policy 60 3.4.2. Defence Operational Policies 61 3.4.2.1. Environmental Management System 61 3.4.2.2. Defence Ecologically Sustainable Development Strategy 61 3.4.2.3. Climate Change 62

4. Key Environmental Values 63

4.1. Land Use 63 4.1.1. Existing Land Use 64 4.1.2. Future Land Use 66 4.2. Sensitive Land Uses 67 4.2.1. Sensitive Receivers Located at RAAF Base Amberley 73 4.2.2. Sensitive Receivers Surrounding RAAF Base Amberley 75 4.3. Social Environment 75 4.3.1. Population Change 78 4.3.1.1. Population size 78 4.3.1.2. Population Mobility 78 4.3.2. Population Diversity 80 4.3.2.1. Age Profile 80 4.3.2.2. Cultural Diversity 80 4.3.3. Vulnerable Groups 81 4.3.3.1. Pre-School Children 82 4.3.3.2. School Aged Students 82 4.3.3.3. Aged Persons 82 4.3.3.4. Hospital and Nursing Home Patients 82 4.3.3.5. Shift Workers 86 4.3.3.6. Summary of Vulnerable Groups 87 4.3.4. Households and Families 87

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4.3.5. Housing and Accommodation 88 4.3.5.1. Housing Tenure 90 4.3.5.2. Property Values 90 4.3.6. Education 91 4.3.7. Income 91 4.3.8. Labour Force 91 4.4. Social Infrastructure 92 4.4.1. Education 92 4.4.2. Child Care 92 4.4.3. Places of Worship 93 4.4.4. Tourist Accommodation 93 4.4.5. Health Care Facilities 93 4.4.6. Sport and Recreation Facilities 93 4.4.7. Telecommunications Infrastructure 94 4.5. Aboriginal Cultural Heritage and Native Title 94 4.6. Social and Recreational Values 94 4.6.1. Community Values 94 4.6.2. Recreational Uses 95 4.6.3. Public Health 96 4.6.4. Hospitals 98 4.7. Flora and Fauna 98 4.7.1. Flora 98 4.7.2. Fauna 101 4.7.3. Wildlife Hazards 103 4.7.4. Existing Management 105

5. Noise Assessment 106

5.1. Background 106 5.2. Explanation of Noise 106 5.2.1. Maximum Sound Level - L(A)max 109 5.2.2. NX Contours 109 5.2.3. Time Dimension of Sound 109 5.2.4. Transparent Noise Information Package 110 5.3. Integrated Noise Model 110 5.4. Current Noise Environment around RAAF Base Amberley 110 5.4.1. Ambient Noise Levels 110 5.4.2. Existing Meteorological Conditions 113 5.4.3. Existing Aircraft Operations 114 5.5. Description of Super Hornet Aircraft Noise 115 5.5.1. Flying Operations 115 5.5.1.1. Profiles 116 5.5.1.2. Flight Paths 117

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5.5.1.3. L(A)max 120 5.5.1.4. NX Contours 123 5.5.1.5. Time of Noise 131 5.5.1.6. Impact of Noise on Activities on the Base 131 5.5.2. Ground Activities 135 5.5.3. How Meteorological Conditions may affect Super Hornet Aircraft Noise 135 5.6. Potential Effects of Noise 136 5.6.1. Housing Values 136 5.6.2. Sleep Disturbance 137 5.6.3. Shift Workers 139 5.6.4. Health 139 5.6.4.1. Cardiovascular Impacts 139 5.6.4.2. Children and Learning 140 5.6.4.3. Mortality 142 5.6.4.4. Effect on Hearing 142 5.6.4.5. Overall Health Impacts 143 5.6.5. Impact on Recreational Areas 143 5.6.6. Impact of Aircraft Noise on Animals 143 5.6.7. Vibration 144 5.6.8. Summary of Potential Noise Impacts 145 5.7. How Super Hornet Noise Impacts are Mitigated 146 5.7.1. Modification of Flight Paths 146 5.7.2. Modification of Procedures 147 5.7.3. Communication 147 5.7.3.1. Community Consultative Meetings 147 5.7.3.2. Other Methods of Communication 148 5.7.3.3. Information to be Communicated 148 5.7.3.4. Noise Complaints 148 5.7.4. Noise and Flight Path Monitoring System 149 5.8. Options for Insulation of Houses 149 5.8.1. Considerations for Insulating Houses 149 5.8.2. Insulation 150 5.8.3. Single House (Brick or Weatherboard) 150 5.8.4. Single Public Building 151 5.8.5. Discussion 151 5.9. Land Use Planning Implications 152 5.9.1. Australian Noise Exposure Forecast 152 5.9.1.1. Limitations for Application to Military Airfields 154 5.9.1.2. RAAF Base Amberley 2006 ANEF 154 5.9.1.3. RAAF Base Amberley 2018 ANEC 154 5.9.2. 2018 ANEC versus 2006 ANEF 156 5.9.2.1. Sensitive Receivers 156

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5.9.2.2. Population Change in Contours 163 5.9.2.3. Implications for Land Use and Development – Ipswich City Council 164 5.10. Government Policy on Attenuation and Compulsory Acquisition 166 5.11. Summary 167

6. Air Quality 169

6.1. Air Quality Goals 169 6.2. Existing conditions 170 6.2.1. Local Setting and Modelled Locations 170 6.2.2. Regional Dispersion Patterns 173 6.2.3. Existing Air Quality 173 6.3. Assessment of Potential Impacts 175 6.3.1. Air Emissions Sources and Assessment of Likely Impact 175 6.3.2. Emissions Estimates 176 6.3.2.1. Super Hornet Operations 176 6.3.2.2. F-111 Operations 178 6.3.3. Modelling Methodology 179 6.3.4. Modelling Results 179 6.3.4.1. Super Hornet Operations – Runway 33 180 6.3.4.2. Super Hornet Operations – Runway 15 185 6.3.4.3. F-111 Operations – Runway 33 190 6.3.4.4. F-111 Operations – Runway 15 191 6.3.5. Discussion 192 6.3.5.1. Results 192 6.3.5.2. Ozone 192 6.3.5.3. Health Impacts 193 6.3.5.4. Other Air Quality Impacts 193 6.3.5.5. Fuel Dumping 194 6.3.6. Mitigation Measures 194 6.4. Greenhouse Gas Emissions 194 6.4.1. Australia’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions 195 6.4.2. Greenhouse Gas Emission Assessment 195 6.4.3. Mitigation Measures 196 6.5. Summary 196

7. Aircraft Hazards and Risks 198

7.1. Methodology 198 7.1.1. Aircraft Risk Assessment 198 7.1.2. Bird Strike Analysis 199 7.1.3. Hazards and Risks to People and Property 199 7.1.4. Hazards and Risks to Waterways, Livestock, Flora and Fauna 200 7.1.5. Command and Control Procedures 200

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7.2. Review of Existing Data 200 7.2.1. Accident Risk Assessment 200 7.2.2. Bird Strike Analysis 200 7.2.3. Command and Control 201 7.3. Risk Criteria and Structure 201 7.4. Areas of Risk Management 202 7.5. Aircraft Accident and Wildlife Hazard Overview 203 7.5.1. Military Accidents and Incidents in Australia 203 7.5.2. Super Hornet Operation Worldwide 203 7.5.3. Estimated Accident Rate for Super Hornet 204 7.5.4. Potential Bird Strike and Wildlife Hazards 204 7.6. Aircraft Accident Consequences and Likelihood 205 7.6.1. Likelihood of Aircraft Accidents 206 7.6.2. Accidents Occurring on RAAF Base Amberley 207 7.6.2.1. Departures and Arrivals 207 7.6.2.2. Runway Overruns or Undershoots 208 7.6.3. Accidents Occurring in Residential Areas 208 7.6.3.1. Death or Personal Injury from Flying Debris or Fire 208 7.6.3.2. Jettisoned or Inadvertently Released Aircraft Stores 209 7.6.3.3. Falling Aircraft Components or Equipment 210 7.6.3.4. Damage to Buildings, Structures and Vehicles 211 7.6.4. Accidents Occurring in Industrial Areas 211 7.6.4.1. Personal Injury 211 7.6.4.2. Damage to Property 211 7.6.5. Accidents Involving Other Aircraft 212 7.6.6. Accidents Into or Over Water Catchments and Storage Reservoirs 212 7.6.7. Analysis of Risks Involving Bushfires 213 7.6.7.1. Damage to Flora 213 7.6.7.2. Death or Injury to Fauna 213 7.6.7.3. Bushfires Occurring in Rural Areas 214 7.7. Summary of Impacts 215 7.8. Mitigation Measures 215 7.8.1. Bird Strike Risk Management for Current and Planned Operations 216 7.9. Command and Control Procedures 216 7.9.1. Airfield Emergency Plan 216 7.9.2. Command and Control Interface with Civil Authorities 217 7.9.3. Bushfire Response and Control Procedures 218 7.9.4. Summary of Command and Control Procedures 218 7.10. Summary and Conclusions 218 7.10.1. Risks to People and Property 219 7.10.2. Risks to Buildings and Structures 220

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7.10.3. Measures to Review and Update Command and Control 220 7.10.4. Monitoring and Reporting of Environmental Impacts 220 7.10.5. Summary of Mitigation Measures 221

8. Social and Public Health 222

8.1. Assessment of Potential Impacts 222 8.1.1. Impacts on Residential Population and Demography 222 8.1.2. Native Title Claimants 223 8.1.3. Communications 223 8.1.4. Human Health Impacts 224

9. Conclusion 225

9.1. PER Requirements 225 9.2. Assessment Outcomes 225 9.3. Mitigation and Monitoring 226 9.4. Summary 227

10. References 228

Appendix A Referral Agency 236

A.1 Contact Details of Person Proposing to Take the Action 236 A.2 Environmental Record 236

Appendix B PER Guidelines 237

Appendix C Cross-reference with the PER Guidelines 238

Appendix D Study Team 239

Appendix E Consultation 242

E.1 Consultation Activities 243 E.2 List of Stakeholders Consulted 244 E.3 Consultation Summary 245

Appendix F PER Assumptions 246

F.1 Chapter 4: Land Use and Social Context 246 F.2 Chapter 5: Noise Assessment 246 F.3 Chapter 6: Air Quality 246 F.4 Chapter 7: Aviation Hazards and Risks 247 F.5 Chapter 8: Social and Public Health 247

Appendix G Social Environment 249

Appendix H Key Environmental Values 253

H.1 Listed Ecological Communities of RAAF Base Amberley 253 H.2 Listed Flora Species of RAAF Base Amberley 253

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H.3 Listed Fauna Species of RAAF Base Amberley 254

Appendix I Noise 255

I.1 Sound and Noise 255 I.2 The INM 258 I.3 Noise Monitoring Results 259 I.4 Climate and Dispersion Meteorology 262 I.5 Noise Complaints (within 20nm) 264 I.6 Insulation Materials 266 I.7 Material and Cost Assumptions for Noise Attenuation 269

Appendix J Air Quality 270

J.1 ASH Emissions Calculations 270 J.2 F-111 Emissions Calculations 271 J.3 Calpuff Dispersion Modelling 272 J.4 Modelling Results Figures 273

Appendix K Aviation Hazard and Risk 284

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Index of Figures

Figure 1-1 F-111 (left) and Super Hornet 24 Figure 2-1 F/A-18F Australian Super Hornet 33 Figure 2-2 RAAF Base Amberley Site Context 35 Figure 2-3 RAAF Base Amberley 36 Figure 2-4 Runways 37 Figure 2-5 General Dynamics F-111 Aircraft 38 Figure 2-6 F-111 Brisbane Riverfire 39 Figure 2-7 Super Hornet Departures 44 Figure 2-8 Super Hornet Visual Arrivals 45 Figure 2-9 Super Hornet Initial and Pitch Arrival 46 Figure 2-10 Super Hornet Instrument Arrivals 47 Figure 2-11 Super Hornet Touch and Go / Circuit Flight Paths 48 Figure 2-12 F-111 Departures 50 Figure 2-13 F-111 Approach and Instrument Arrival Flight Paths 51 Figure 2-14 F-111 Touch and Go / Circuit Flight Paths 52 Figure 2-15 Location of Engine Test Cell 3 and the Flight Line 56 Figure 4-1 Existing Land Use 65 Figure 4-2 Ipswich City Council Area Classification 68 Figure 4-3 Major Development Areas 69 Figure 4-4 Sensitive Receivers 74 Figure 4-5 Statistical Local Areas 77 Figure 4-6 Population Density 79 Figure 4-7 Distribution of Children Under the Age of 5 Years 83 Figure 4-8 Distribution of Children between 5-17 years 84 Figure 4-9 Distribution of Persons 65 years and over 85 Figure 4-10 Residential Dwelling Density 89 Figure 4-11 Regional Ecosystems 100 Figure 4-12 Koala Habitat 102 Figure 4-13 Flying Fox Dispersal Patterns 104 Figure 5-1 Common Sounds at their Decibel Level 108 Figure 5-2 Noise Monitoring Locations 111 Figure 5-3 Typical Super Hornet and F-111 Arrivals 116 Figure 5-4 Typical Super Hornet and F-111 Departure Profile 117 Figure 5-5 F-111 L(A)max Contours 118

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Figure 5-6 Super Hornet L(A)max Contours 119 Figure 5-7 Super Hornet N70 Contours 124 Figure 5-8 Super Hornet N85 Contours 125 Figure 5-9 Super Hornet N100 Contours 126 Figure 5-10 F-111 N70 Contours 127 Figure 5-11 F-111 N85 Contours 128 Figure 5-12 F-111 N100 Contours 129 Figure 5-13 Super Hornet L(A)max Contours Close to Base 133 Figure 5-14 F-111 L(A)max Contours Close to Base 134 Figure 5-15 2006 ANEF 155 Figure 5-16 2018 ANEC 157 Figure 5-17 2006 ANEF / 2018 ANEC Change 158 Figure 5-18 Sensitive Receivers, 2018 ANEC 159 Figure 5-19 Sensitive Receivers 2006 ANEF 160 Figure 5-20 Impact on Future Development Areas 165 Figure 6-1 Terrain near RAAF Base Amberley 171 Figure 6-2 Modelled Air Quality Sensitive Locations 172 Figure 6-3 Taxiways 177 Figure G-10-1 Spoke a Language Other Than English at Home, 1996-2006 (%) 249 Figure G-10-2 Persons Born Elsewhere than Australia, 1996-2006 (%) 250 Figure G-10-3 Indigenous Persons, 1996-2006 (%) 250 Figure J-10-4 Annual and Seasonal Windroses for Amberley 263 Figure J-10-5 Increase in CO Concentrations (8 Hr Average) on Runway 33 274 Figure J-10-6 Increase in NO2 Concentrations (1 Hr Average) on Runway 33 275 Figure J-10-7 Increase in SO2 Concentrations (1 Hr Average) on Runway 33 276 Figure J-10-8 Increase in Formaldehyde Concentrations (24 Hr Average) on Runway 33277 Figure J-10-9 Increase in PM10 Concentrations (24 Hr Average) on Runway 33 278 Figure J-10-10 Increase in CO Concentrations (8 Hr Average) on Runway 15 279 Figure J-10-11 Increase in NO2 Concentrations (1 Hr Average) on Runway 15 280 Figure J-10-12 Increase in SO2 Concentrations (1 Hr Average) on Runway 15 281 Figure J-10-13 Increase in Formaldehyde Concentrations (24 Hr Average) on Runway 15282 Figure J-10-14 Increase in PM10 Concentrations (24 Hr Average) on Runway 15 283

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Glossary A/B Afterburner

AAWHG Australian Animal Wildlife Hazard Group

ABS Australian Bureau of Statistics

ACTO Air Combat Transition Office

ADF Australian Defence Force

AIIMS Australasian Interagency Incident Management System

ANEC Australian Noise Exposure Concept

ANEF Australian Noise Exposure Forecast

ASH Australian Super Hornet

ATSB Australian Transport Safety Bureau

BACC Bridging Air Combat Capability

Base RAAF Base Amberley

BASO Base Aviation Safety Officer

BoM Bureau of Meteorology

BSD Brisbane Statistical Division

CASA Civil Aviation Safety Authority

CASR Civil Aviation Safety Regulations

CCD Census Collection District

CO Carbon Monoxide

CTR Control Zone

dB Decibel

dB(A) A-Weighted decibel

DDAAFS Directorate of Defence Aviation and Air Force Safety

DERM Department of Environmental Resource Management

DEWHA Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts

Defence Department of Defence

DOTARS Department of Transport and Regional Services

DSG Defence Support Group

EEGO Energy Efficiency and Government Operations

EIS Environmental Impact Statement

EMP Environmental Management Plan

EMS Environmental Management System

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EMU Environmental Monitoring Units

ENVHO Air Force Environmental Health Officer

EPA Queensland Environmental Protection Agency

EPBC Act Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

EPP (Air) Environmental Protection Policy 2008 (Air)

EPP (Noise) Environmental Protection Policy 2008 (Noise)

EPP (Water) Environmental Protection Policy 2008 (Water)

ERP Estimated Residential Population

ESD Environmentally Sustainable Development

ETC 3 Engine Test Cell

FTA Flying Training Areas

GA General Aviation

GP General Practitioner

HCHO Formaldehyde

HQ Headquarters

Hz Hertz

ICAO International Civil Aviation Organisation

ICC Ipswich City Council

ICS Incident Control System

IER Initial Environmental Review

INM Integrated Noise Model

IPA Integrated Planning Act 1997(Qld)

L(A)max Maximum sound levels

LGA Local Government Area

MFPE Manual of Fire Protection and Engineering

MOB Main Operating Base

MRTT Multi Role Tanker Transport

NDI Noise Depreciation Index

NEF Noise Exposure Forecast

NEPM National Environment Protection Measures

NFPMS Noise and Flight Path Monitoring System

NM Nautical Miles

NOx Nitrogen Oxide

NO2 Nitrogen Dioxide

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NSESD National Strategy for Ecologically Sustainable Development

ORP Operational Readiness Platform

PER Public Environment Report

PM10 Particulate Matter

QFRS Queensland Fire and Rescue Service

RAAF Royal Australian Air Force

RE Regional Ecosystem

RFFS Rescue and Fire Fighting Service

RNE Register of the National Estate

SEQ South East Queensland

SEQIPP South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program

SEQRP South East Queensland Regional Plan

SES State Emergency Services

SLA Statistical Local Area

SO2 Sulphur Dioxide

SOP Standard Operating Procedures

SPL (or LP) Sound Pressure Level

SPP 1/02 State Planning Policy 1/02 Development in the Vicinity of Certain Airport and Aviation Facilities

SQN Squadron

TAPM The Air Pollution Model

TOD Transit Oriented Development

USA United States of America

VM Act Vegetation Management Act 1999 (Qld)