Height of new Townsville air traffic control tower reduced after safety flaw was identified

A MAJOR safety flaw has forced the Department of Defence to alter the design of Townsville airport’s new air traffic control tower, a move made after construction already began.

A photo of the Townsville Airport control tower in 2012.

A MAJOR safety flaw has forced the Department of Defence to alter the design of Townsville Airport’s new air traffic control tower despite construction being under way.

Work on the new tower, a project worth about $43.7 million, started in mid-2017 with completion scheduled for later this year. The Department of Defence’s consultation with Civil Aviation Safety Authority on the final design and construction started on September 5 last year.

A Defence spokeswoman said in mid-2014, following the selection of a final construction site, an issue with the tower’s height was identified but was not “resolved” at the time. There was concern the height could impact on the airspace used by aircraft.

The Defence spokeswoman said through consultation with CASA in late 2017 the issue was addressed, after construction began.

“This resulted in Defence reducing the tower’s height by 3.3m by removing a panel from the column of the tower,” she said. “This was achieved without operational impact, cost or delay to the construction program.”

A source has told the Bulletin operational equipment to be installed in the new tower will not be available for another three years. The Defence spokeswoman would not confirm the length of any delay, when the new tower was originally scheduled to become operational or when it will likely be operational now.

“In regards to delays with acquiring and installing appropriate equipment to operate the tower, this issue will not affect the program for the mission system equipment,” she said. “There has been no effect on the scheduled completion of the air traffic control tower.

“This issue has no effect on the mission system equipment procurement schedule.”

A spokesman for CASA said it was aware of the issues and was providing advice.

“Where issues like this arise they are reported to CASA and we provide advice, but the resolution of the matter is up to the organisation involved,” he said.

The current air traffic control tower will be demolished when the new tower becomes operational.

Originally published as Height of new Townsville air traffic control tower reduced after safety flaw was identified