The Department of Environment has today published itsr approval of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the flying operations of the F-35A Joint Strike Fighter aircraft.
Officer Commanding 81 Wing, Group Captain Phil Gordon, said Air Force welcomed the approval and conditions.
“The development of the Environmental Impact Statement is an important process and supports Defence’s honest and open approach to addressing aircraft noise and other environmental considerations for communities living near Air Force bases,” he said.
GPCAPT Gordon said Air Force was committed to implementing the conditions of the report.
“In accordance with the EIS approval conditions and the existing RAAF Aircraft Noise Management Strategy, aircraft noise management plans for the F-35A will include regular monitoring, public reporting and community consultation..
“We look forward to continuing to work with the Department of Environment and the community to minimise the environmental impacts of the flying operations while balancing operational and training requirements so Defence can effectively provide air power for Australia’s national security,” he said.
The Final EIS, made up of the Draft EIS and a Supplementary Report which addresses issues raised by the community, was approved with four core conditions. The community can view the EIS approval and conditions at www.environment.gov.au/epbc/public-notices. The EIS, including the Supplementary Report, is available at http://www.f35evolution.com.au/.
The approval conditions include requirements to implement aircraft noise management plans in accordance with the RAAF Aircraft Noise Management Strategy as well as ongoing monitoring and public reporting of aircraft noise measurements around F-35A operating bases.
The F-35A will provide Australia with a fifth-generation aircraft to replace the ageing F/A?18A/B Hornets and enable air superiority into the future.
Australia has committed to 72 F-35A aircraft, to be based at RAAF Bases Williamtown in NSW and Tindal in the Northern Territory. The aircraft will also intermittently operate from RAAF Bases Darwin, Pearce, Amberley, Townsville and Edinburgh. The first F-35A aircraft will arrive in Australia in late 2018.
For more information on the EIS process visit http://www.f35evolution.com.au/ or phone 1800 830 205.
Media contact:
Defence Media (02) 6127 1999
Issued by Ministerial and Executive Coordination and Communication,
Department of Defence,
Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999 Fax: 02 6265 6946
