Proposed amendment to Local Law and new Subordinate Local Law for Undertaking Aircraft Operations from Premises Owned by a Person

Proposed change to Local Government Arrangements

Bundaberg Regional Council is seeking community feedback on a proposal to amend the Administration (Amendment) Local Law (No.1) 2025 and introduce a new Subordinate Local Law No. 1.21 – Undertaking Aircraft Operations from Premises Owned by a Person.

Currently, there is no specific local law regulating aircraft operations—such as helicopters—from private premises when the activity is not part of the property's existing use. These activities are instead managed under the Planning Act 2016 and the Bundaberg Regional Council Planning Scheme.

The proposed changes aim to provide a clearer, more consistent framework for managing these operations at the local level.

Why this change is being proposed

The proposed amendments to Local Law No. 1 and the introduction of Subordinate Local Law No. 1.21 are being made in response to the growing interest in aircraft operations—particularly helicopters—being conducted from private premises for recreational and tourism purposes. Currently, Council’s Local Laws and Planning Scheme do not provide specific provisions to manage this type of activity, creating uncertainty for operators and limiting Council’s ability to regulate or respond to community concerns.

These changes aim to:

• Provide a clear and consistent framework for assessing and approving aircraft operations from private land;
• Ensure that such operations are conducted in a way that protects residential amenity, safety, and the environment;
• Enable Council to recover costs associated with processing applications and managing compliance;
• Align local regulation with broader aviation requirements while avoiding duplication of responsibilities already covered by federal authorities like CASA.

By introducing these provisions, Council seeks to support innovative tourism and business opportunities while ensuring appropriate safeguards are in place for the community.

Key Facts

Administration (Amendment) Local Law (No. 1) 2025

• Purpose: Amends the existing Administration Local Law No. 1 to classify aircraft operations from privately owned premises as a prescribed activity.
• Scope: Enables Council to regulate aircraft operations (e.g., helicopters) that are not ancillary to the existing land use.
• Additional Updates: Includes clarification of wording and updated definitions in response to previous Council discussions.

Subordinate Local Law No. 1.21 (Undertaking Aircraft Operations from Premises Owned by a Person) 2025

• Purpose: Establishes a regulatory framework for assessing and approving aircraft operations from private premises.
• Coverage:
  • Types of aircraft operations permitted
  • Application and approval process
  • Standard conditions addressing amenity, safety, noise, and nuisance
• Alignment: Designed to complement CASA (Civil Aviation Safety Authority) requirements—Council will not duplicate aviation regulatory responsibilities.
• Best Practice: Based on reviews of similar laws in other local governments and relevant planning and aviation standards.

Have your Say

Council is inviting community feedback on the proposed changes before making a final decision on whether to adopt the amendments. Any person can make a submission about the proposal during the public consultation period, which commences Tuesday, 24 June 2025 and ends Thursday, 24 July 2025.

Submissions must state: -

1. the grounds of the submission; and
2. the facts and circumstances relied on in support of the grounds.

Submissions can be made by post, delivered in person, lodged via online form, or by email to ceo@bundaberg.qld.gov.au.

Contact us

To learn more or share your views, please contact us by emailing ceo@bundaberg.qld.gov.au (attention: Governance and Executive Services), or call us on 1300 883 699.