An Act to impose a curfew and related restrictions on aircraft
movements at Sydney Airport, and for related purposes
Part 1—Preliminary
1
Short title [see
Note 1]
This Act may be cited as the Sydney
Airport Curfew Act 1995.
2
Commencement [see
Note 1]
This Act commences:
(a) if the 28th day after the day on
which this Act receives the Royal Assent is a Sunday—at 10.45 pm on that Sunday; or
(b) otherwise—at 10.45 pm on the first Sunday after that 28th day.
3
Definitions
In this Act, the following terms have
the meanings set out below:
aircraft means any machine or craft that can
derive support in the atmosphere from the reactions of the air.
Airservices Australia means the body called
Airservices Australia that is established by the Air Services Act 1995.
air traffic controller has the meaning given
by the regulations.
Australia includes all the external Territories.
authorised person means:
(a) the Secretary of the Department;
or
(b) a person appointed in writing by
the Secretary to be an authorised person for the purposes of this Act; or
(c) a person included in a class of
persons appointed in writing by the Secretary to be authorised persons for the
purposes of this Act.
curfew period has the meaning given by
section 6.
engage in conduct means:
(a) do an act; or
(b) omit to perform an act.
land—an aircraft lands when it touches the
ground.
maximum take‑off weight of an aircraft
means the weight set out in the aircraft’s flight manual as the aircraft’s
maximum take‑off weight.
operator of an aircraft means a person who
conducts an aircraft operation using the aircraft.
Sydney Airport
means the airport known as Sydney (Kingsford‑Smith) Airport.
take off—an aircraft takes off when it leaves
the ground.
the Annex means Volume 1 of Annex 16 to the
Convention on International Civil Aviation concluded at Chicago on 7 December 1944, as amended and in force from time to time.
week means a period of 7 days starting at 11 pm on a Sunday.
3A
Application of the Criminal Code
Chapter 2 (other than Part 2.5)
of the Criminal Code applies to all offences created by this Act.
Note: Chapter 2 of the Criminal Code
sets out the general principles of criminal responsibility.
4
Explanation of runway names
(1) The diagram below shows the runways at Sydney
Airport.

(2) The following runway names are used in
this Act:
(a) runway 16R—this is
the name for the runway marked A when used for a take‑off to the south;
(b) runway 34L—this is
the name for the runway marked A when used for a landing from the south;
(c) runway 16L—this is
the name for the runway marked B when used for a take‑off to the south.
5 Time
is legal time in New South Wales
References in this Act to time are
references to legal time in New South Wales.
Part 2—The curfew and related restrictions
Division 1—The curfew
6
Curfew periods
A curfew period starts at 11 pm on a day and ends at 6 am on the next day.
7
Prohibition on taking off or landing during curfew periods
(1) An aircraft must not take off from, or
land at, Sydney Airport during a curfew period, unless the take off or landing
is permitted under Part 3.
(2) The operator of an aircraft commits an
offence if:
(a) the operator engages in conduct;
and
(b) the operator’s conduct results in
a contravention of subsection (1).
Penalty: 1,000 penalty units.
(3) Strict liability applies to paragraph (2)(b).
Note: For strict liability, see
section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.
8 Use
of reverse thrust during curfew periods
(1) If an aircraft lands at Sydney Airport
during a curfew period using reverse thrust greater than idle reverse thrust,
the operator of the aircraft must lodge a return in accordance with subsection (3)
within 7 days after the landing.
(2) The operator of an aircraft commits an
offence if:
(a) the operator engages in conduct;
and
(b) the operator’s conduct results in
a contravention of subsection (1).
Penalty: 50 penalty units.
(2A) Strict liability applies to paragraph (2)(b).
Note: For strict liability, see
section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.
(3) The return must:
(a) state the date and time of the
landing; and
(b) state the aircraft’s registration
mark, its operator, and its type; and
(c) state the reason why reverse
thrust greater than idle reverse thrust was used during the landing; and
(d) be lodged by giving the return to
an authorised person at a prescribed address.
(4) The operator of an aircraft should not
plan to land the aircraft at Sydney Airport during a curfew period if the
operator is aware that the landing would require the use of reverse thrust
greater than idle reverse thrust.
(5) The pilot of an aircraft landing at Sydney
Airport during a curfew period should use only the minimum reverse thrust
necessary for a safe landing.
9
Missed approaches during curfew periods
(1) If an aircraft attempts to land at Sydney
Airport during a curfew period but misses the approach, the operator of the
aircraft must lodge a return in accordance with subsection (3) within 7
days after the attempted landing.
(2) The operator of an aircraft commits an
offence if:
(a) the operator engages in conduct;
and
(b) the operator’s conduct results in
a contravention of subsection (1).
Penalty: 50 penalty units.
(2A) Strict liability applies to paragraph (2)(b).
Note: For strict liability, see
section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.
(3) The return must:
(a) state the date and time of the
attempted landing; and
(b) state the aircraft’s registration
mark, its operator, and its type; and
(c) state the reasons for missing the
approach, including the wind conditions prevailing at the time; and
(d) state the down wind limits for
landing specified in the aircraft’s flight manual; and
(e) be lodged by giving the return to
an authorised person at a prescribed address.
Division 2—Related restrictions
10
Runways to be used for take‑offs between 10.45 pm and 11 pm
(1) An aircraft taking off from Sydney Airport
between 10.45 pm and 11 pm must take off from runway 16L or runway 16R unless
the take‑off is permitted under Division 2 of Part 3.
(2) The operator of an aircraft commits an
offence if:
(a) the operator engages in conduct;
and
(b) the operator’s conduct results in
a contravention of subsection (1).
Penalty: 500 penalty units.
(3) Strict liability applies to paragraph (2)(b).
Note: For strict liability, see
section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.
11
Runways to be used for take‑offs and landings on weekends between 6 am and 7 am and 10 pm and 11 pm
(1) An aircraft taking off from Sydney Airport
between 6 am and 7 am, or between 10 pm and 11 pm, on a Saturday or Sunday must
take off from runway 16L or 16R unless:
(a) it takes off from another runway
that has been nominated by an air traffic controller (provided the take‑off
does not contravene subsection 10(1)); or
(b) the take‑off is permitted
under Division 2 of Part 3.
(2) An aircraft landing at Sydney Airport
between 6 am and 7 am, or between 10 pm and 11 pm, on a Saturday or Sunday must
land on runway 34L unless:
(a) it lands on another runway that
has been nominated by an air traffic controller; or
(b) the landing is permitted under
Division 2 of Part 3.
(3) The operator of an aircraft commits an
offence if:
(a) the operator engages in conduct;
and
(b) the operator’s conduct results in
a contravention of subsection (1) or (2).
Penalty: 100 penalty units.
(3A) Strict liability applies to paragraph (3)(b).
Note: For strict liability, see
section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.
(4) At the end of each month, Airservices Australia
must give the Secretary a written report setting out:
(a) the number of times (if any)
during the month that air traffic controllers nominated runways as mentioned in
paragraphs (1)(a) and (2)(a); and
(b) the reasons for nominating those
runways.
Part 3—Permitted aircraft movements
Division 1—Movements permitted during curfew periods
12
International passenger aircraft movements during curfew shoulder periods
(1) For the purposes of this section, an
aircraft is an international passenger aircraft on take‑off
from, or landing at, Sydney Airport if:
(a) the aircraft is being used to
carry passengers for hire or reward in an air service that is covered by an
international airline licence granted under the Air Navigation Regulations; and
(b) for a take‑off from Sydney
Airport—the first port of call of the aircraft after taking off from Sydney
Airport is outside Australia; and
(c) for a landing at Sydney
Airport—the last port of call of the aircraft before landing at Sydney Airport
was outside Australia.
(2) An international passenger aircraft may
take off from, or land at, Sydney Airport between 11 pm and midnight, or may
land at Sydney Airport between 5 am and 6 am, if:
(a) the take‑off or landing is
covered by a timetable approved under the Air Navigation Regulations; and
(b) if the take‑off or landing
is after the time on the day specified under subsection (3)—the take‑off
or landing has been approved under subsection (4); and
(c) if the take‑off or landing
is at or before the time on the day specified under subsection (3)—the
take‑off or landing has been approved under regulation 6 of the Air
Navigation (Aerodrome Curfew) Regulations; and
(d) for a take‑off—the take‑off
is from runway 16R and the start of roll is from south of the intersection of
that runway and taxiway G; and
(e) for a landing—the landing is on
runway 34L; and
(f) the aircraft complies with the
maximum noise levels specified in Chapter 3 of the Annex that are
applicable to the maximum take‑off weight of the aircraft (whether or not
the Chapter is expressed to apply to the aircraft).
(3) The Minister must, by notice in the Gazette,
specify a time on a specified day as the time after which approvals under subsection (4)
are required. The time specified must not be more than 6 months after the
commencement of this Act.
(4) On written application by the holder of
an international airline licence granted under the Air Navigation Regulations,
the Secretary of the Department may, in writing, approve a take‑off from,
or landing at, Sydney Airport between 11 pm and midnight on a specified day, or
a landing at Sydney Airport between 5 am and 6 am on a specified day, if:
(a) granting the approval is
consistent with the quota requirements in whichever of subsections (8) and
(9) applies; and
(b) the Secretary is satisfied that
approving the take‑off or landing during that period on that day is
justified because:
(i) there are curfew
constraints at overseas airports or there is a lack of capacity at Sydney Airport
outside curfew periods; and
(ii) there is no
alternative airport in the Sydney area with capacity to accommodate the take‑off
or landing.
(5) An application for approval under subsection (4)
must set out the reasons why the applicant thinks the approval should be
granted, having regard in particular to paragraph (4)(b).
(6) The Secretary may defer making the
decision on an application for approval until the applicant has provided such
further information relevant to making the decision as the Secretary requires.
(7) Application may be made to the
Administrative Appeals Tribunal for review of a decision to refuse to grant an
approval.
(8) These are the quota requirements that
apply to take‑offs and landings between 11 pm and midnight:
(a) during a week, the total number of
take‑offs and landings (treated jointly) of international passenger
aircraft at Sydney Airport that occur between 11 pm and midnight must not
exceed 14, or such lower number as is prescribed; and
(b) the total number of take‑offs
and landings (treated jointly) of international passenger aircraft at Sydney
Airport that occur between 11 pm and midnight on a day must not exceed 4, or
such lower number as is prescribed.
(9) These are the quota requirements that
apply to landings between 5 am and 6 am:
(a) during a week, the total number of
landings of international passenger aircraft at Sydney Airport that occur
between 5 am and 6 am must not exceed 35, or such lower number as is
prescribed; and
(b) the total number of landings of
international passenger aircraft at Sydney Airport that occur between 5 am and
6 am on a day must not exceed 7, or such lower number as is prescribed.
(10) In applying the quota requirements,
aircraft taking off or landing as permitted by section 16 or 18 are not to
be counted.
13 BAe‑146
and DC9 aircraft used for freight
(1) Subject to section 17, an aircraft
of the type known as Bae‑146 that is registered in the name of, or being
operated by or on behalf of, a person specified in the regulations may take off
from, or land at, Sydney Airport during a curfew period if:
(a) the aircraft is being used solely
for the purpose of carrying freight; and
(b) the take‑off or landing will
not breach the quota requirements in subsection (3); and
(c) for a take‑off—the take‑off
is from runway 16R and the start of roll is from south of the intersection of
that runway and taxiway G; and
(d) for a landing—the landing is on
runway 34L.
(2) Subject to section 17, an aircraft
of the type known as DC9 that is registered in the name of, or being operated
by or on behalf of, a person specified in the regulations may, on or before 5 May 1996, take off from, or land at, Sydney Airport during a curfew period if:
(a) the aircraft is being used solely
for the purpose of carrying freight; and
(b) the aircraft complies with the
maximum noise levels specified in Chapter 3 of the Annex that are
applicable to the maximum take‑off weight of the aircraft (whether or not
the Chapter is expressed to apply to the aircraft); and
(c) the take‑off or landing will
not breach the quota requirements in subsection (4); and
(d) for a take‑off—the take‑off
is from runway 16R and the start of roll is from south of the intersection of
that runway and taxiway G; and
(e) for a landing—the landing is on
runway 34L.
(3) These are the quota requirements that
apply to take‑offs and landings of aircraft of the type known as Bae‑146:
(a) during a week, the total number of
take‑offs and landings (treated jointly) of aircraft of that type at Sydney
Airport during curfew periods must not exceed:
(i) if the week ends on or
before 5 May 1996—65, or such lower number as is prescribed; or
(ii) if the week ends after
5 May 1996—74, or such lower number as is prescribed; and
(b) the take‑off or landing must
not breach any limit imposed by regulations that divide the upper limit
applicable under paragraph (a) so as to impose separate limits in relation
to aircraft registered in the name of, or operated by or on behalf of,
specified persons.
(4) These are the quota requirements that
apply to take‑offs and landings, on or before 5 May 1996, of aircraft of the type known as DC9:
(a) during a week, the total number of
take‑offs and landings (treated jointly) of aircraft of that type at
Sydney Airport during curfew periods must not exceed 6, or such lower number as
is prescribed; and
(b) the take‑off or landing must
not breach any limit imposed by regulations that divide the upper limit
applicable under paragraph (a) so as to impose separate limits in relation
to aircraft registered in the name of, or operated by or on behalf of,
specified persons.
(5) In applying the quota requirements,
aircraft taking off or landing as permitted by section 16 or 18 are not to
be counted.
14
Propeller‑driven aircraft under 34,000 kilograms that comply with noise
standards
Subject to section 17, a propeller‑driven
aircraft that:
(a) has a maximum take‑off
weight of 34,000 kilograms or less; and
(b) complies with the maximum noise
levels specified in Chapter 3, 5 (other than paragraph 5.1.3), 6 or 10 of
the Annex that are applicable to aircraft of the class to which the aircraft
belongs;
may:
(c) take off from runway 16R during a
curfew period if the start of roll is from south of the intersection of that
runway and taxiway G; or
(d) land on runway 34L during a curfew
period.
15 Jet
aircraft under 34,000 kilograms that comply with noise standards and that are
specified by the Minister
(1) Subject to section 17, a jet
aircraft of a type specified in a legislative instrument made under subsection (2)
may:
(a) take off from runway 16R during a
curfew period if the start of roll is from south of the intersection of that
runway and taxiway G; or
(b) land on runway 34L during a curfew
period.
(2) Subject to subsections (5) and (6),
the Minister may, by legislative instrument, specify a type of jet aircraft
that:
(a) has a maximum take‑off
weight of 34,000 kilograms or less; and
(b) complies with the maximum noise
levels specified in Chapter 3 of the Annex that are applicable to the
maximum take‑off weight of the aircraft (whether or not the Chapter is
expressed to apply to the aircraft); and
(c) complies with the 90‑95
noise level rule specified in subsection (3).
(3) A type of aircraft complies with the 90‑95
rule if aircraft of that type have a noise level that:
(a) on take‑off:
(i) does not exceed 90
EPNdB; or
(ii) if the amount in
excess of 90 EPNdB is offset by a maximum noise level on landing that is
correspondingly lower than the amount specified in subparagraph (b)(i) for
landing noise—does not exceed 92 EPNdB; and
(b) on landing:
(i) does not exceed 95
EPNdB; or
(ii) if the amount in
excess of 95 EPNdB is offset by a maximum noise level on take‑off that is
correspondingly lower than the amount specified in subparagraph (a)(i)—does
not exceed 97 EPNdB.
(4) In subsection (3), noise level,
expressed as a figure of EPNdB, means the effective perceived noise in
decibels:
(a) measured by reference to the test
procedures specified in Chapter 3 of the Annex; and
(b) certified in a noise certificate
within the meaning of the Air Navigation (Aircraft Noise) Regulations.
(6) The consultation procedures set out in
the Schedule apply if the Minister proposes to make a legislative instrument
under subsection (2).
(7) A notice in force under subregulation
6A(1) of the Air Navigation (Aerodrome Curfew) Regulations immediately before
the commencement of this Act has effect after that commencement as if it were a
legislative instrument made by the Minister under subsection (2) of this
section.
16
Take‑off from runway 16R when taxi clearance received before start of
curfew period
An aircraft may take off from runway 16R
during a curfew period if it received taxi clearance for the take‑off
before the start of the curfew period.
17
Sections 13, 14 and 15 do not apply after airport at Badgerys Creek is
available for night use
Sections 13, 14 and 15 do not apply
to a take‑off or landing that occurs on or after the date specified by
the Minister by notice in the Gazette as the date on which the airport
to be constructed at the site known as Badgerys Creek is able to be used for
night aircraft movements.
Division 2—Emergencies and dispensations
18
Aircraft may take off or land in emergencies or if Minister grants dispensation
An aircraft may take off from, or land
at, Sydney Airport in circumstances that would otherwise contravene section 7,
10 or 11 if:
(a) the aircraft is involved in an
emergency as described in section 19; or
(b) a dispensation granted by the
Minister under section 20 authorises the take‑off or landing and the
take‑off or landing is in accordance with any conditions of the
dispensation.
19
Emergencies
An aircraft is involved in an emergency
if:
(a) the aircraft is being used for or
in connection with:
(i) a search and rescue
operation; or
(ii) a medical emergency;
or
(iii) a natural disaster; or
(b) the pilot of the aircraft has
declared an in‑flight emergency; or
(c) the aircraft has insufficient fuel
to be diverted to another airport; or
(d) there is an urgent need for the
aircraft to land or take off:
(i) to ensure the safety
or security of the aircraft or any person; or
(ii) to avoid damage to
property.
20
Dispensations in exceptional circumstances
(1) The Minister may grant a dispensation authorising
an aircraft to take off from, or land at, Sydney Airport in circumstances that
would otherwise contravene section 7, 10 or 11 if the Minister is
satisfied that there are exceptional circumstances justifying the take‑
off or landing.
(2) A dispensation may be granted subject to
conditions including, for example, conditions relating to when the take‑off
or landing must occur and the runway to be used.
(3) In granting dispensations, the Minister
must have regard to guidelines made under subsection (5).
(4) A dispensation need not be in writing,
but a written record of each dispensation and the reasons for granting it must
be made and must be tabled in each House of the Parliament within 5 sitting
days of that House after the dispensation is granted.
(5) The Minister must, by legislative
instrument, make guidelines about the granting of dispensations under this
section including, in particular:
(a) what constitutes exceptional
circumstances; and
(b) the conditions to which
dispensations should be subject.
(7) The consultation procedures set out in
the Schedule apply if the Minister proposes to make guidelines under subsection (5).
Part 4—Provision of information
21
Authorised person may require the provision of information
(1) An authorised person may, by notice in
writing given to the operator of an aircraft, require the operator to give the
authorised person, within 30 days of receiving the notice:
(a) information relating to the noise
level of the aircraft; or
(b) information relevant to
determining whether a take‑off or landing of the aircraft was permitted
by paragraph 18(a) (emergencies).
(2) The operator must not fail to comply with
the notice.
Penalty: 50 penalty units.
Note 1: If the operator is a body corporate, the
maximum penalty that may be imposed is 250 penalty units (see subsection 4B(3)
of the Crimes Act 1914).
Note 2: For the value of a penalty unit, see subsection
4AA(1) of the Crimes Act 1914.
(3) This section does not affect a person’s
right to refuse to give information on the ground that the information, or
giving the information, might tend to incriminate the person or expose the
person to a penalty.
22
Provision of false information
The operator of an aircraft must not,
for a purpose connected with this Act, give information to an authorised person
that is false or misleading in a material particular.
Penalty: 50 penalty units.
Note 1: If the operator is a body corporate, the
maximum penalty that may be imposed is 250 penalty units (see subsection 4B(3)
of the Crimes Act 1914).
Note 2: For the value of a penalty unit, see subsection
4AA(1) of the Crimes Act 1914.
Part 5—Consultation before Act is amended
23
Minister to consult
(1) The consultation procedures set out in
the Schedule apply if the Minister proposes to introduce a Bill for an Act that
amends this Act into a House of the Parliament.
(2) If the Minister introduces a Bill for an
Act that amends this Act into a House of the Parliament, the Minister must also
table in that House a report setting out what consultation has taken place.
Part 6—Miscellaneous
24
Delegation
(1) The Minister may, in writing, delegate
the Minister’s powers to grant dispensations under section 20 to:
(a) the Secretary of the Department;
or
(b) an officer of the Department; or
(c) an employee of Airservices Australia.
(2) The Secretary of the Department may, in
writing, delegate the Secretary’s powers to grant approvals under section 12
to an officer of the Department.
25
Conduct by directors, servants and agents
(1) If, in proceedings for an offence against
this Act, it is necessary to prove the state of mind of a body corporate in
relation to particular conduct, it is enough to show:
(a) that the conduct was engaged in by
a director, servant or agent of the body corporate within the scope of his or
her actual or apparent authority; and
(b) that the director, servant or
agent had the state of mind.
(2) Any conduct engaged in on behalf of a
body corporate by a director, servant, or agent of the body corporate within
the scope of his or her actual or apparent authority is taken, for the purposes
of a prosecution for an offence against this Act, to have been engaged in also
by the body corporate unless the body corporate proves that the body corporate
took reasonable precautions and exercised due diligence to avoid the conduct.
(3) If, in proceedings for an offence against
this Act, it is necessary to establish the state of mind of an individual in
relation to particular conduct, it is enough to show:
(a) that the conduct was engaged in by
a servant or agent of the individual within the scope of his or her actual or
apparent authority; and
(b) that the servant or agent had the
state of mind.
(4) Any conduct engaged in on behalf of an
individual by a servant or agent of the individual within the scope of his or
her actual or apparent authority is taken, for the purposes of a prosecution
for an offence against this Act, to have been engaged in also by the
individual, unless the individual proves that he or she took reasonable
precautions and exercised due diligence to avoid the conduct.
(5) In this section:
director, in relation to a body that:
(a) is incorporated for a public
purpose by a law of the Commonwealth, of a State or of a Territory; and
(b) is constituted by one or more
members;
means the member, or any of the members, constituting the
body.
engage in conduct includes fail or refuse to
engage in conduct.
offence against this Act includes the
following:
(a) an offence against section 6
of the Crimes Act 1914 that relates to an offence against this Act;
(b) an offence against section 11.1,
11.4 or 11.5 of the Criminal Code.
state of mind, in relation to a person,
includes:
(a) the person’s knowledge, intention,
opinion, belief or purpose; and
(b) the person’s reasons for the
intention, opinion, belief or purpose.
26
Regulations
The Governor‑General may make
regulations prescribing matters:
(a) required or permitted by this Act
to be prescribed; or
(b) necessary or convenient to be
prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Act.