Kempsey Airport

Airservices Australia’s Noise Complaints and Information Service manages complaints and enquiries about aircraft noise and operations for the Australian aviation industry. You can contact the service on 1800 802 584 or complete an online form.

Airservices Australia accepts direct complaints only and does not accept complaints through any third party, including Council.

You can report any concerns about aviation-related safety or low-flying aircraft to CASA by completing an online form.

Council has notified the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) of our decision to permanently close the grass runway at Kempsey Airport.

This notification has been made through the issuing of a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), which becomes a permanent entry in the En Route Supplement Australia publication (ERSA).

The changes in the new ERSA will not be published until the next publication, due out on 22 March 2022. 

Council has adopted a Noise Management Plan and Fly Neighbourly Advice to help manage the impact of aircraft noise on surrounding areas.

The Noise Management Plan for Kempsey Airport was developed by the Airport Group and adopted by Council in June 2019, after extensive consultation with the community.

The Fly Neighbourly Advice is a voluntary code of practice established between the airport, aircraft operators and the community. The Fly Neighbourly Advice helps to reduce the noise nuisance experienced by the airport’s neighbours through the Fly Neighbourly Principles, which are to be observed by local and visiting aircraft at Kempsey Airport.

More information

• Noise Management Plan and Fly Neighbourly Advice: Final Report 2019(PDF, 22MB)
• Kempsey Airport Fly Neighbourly Advice: Final Report 2019(PDF, 2MB)

Council keeps a register of aviation complaints. While Council investigates all complaints within our control, it is recommended that anyone with concerns about aircraft noise or low-flying aircraft lodge complaints directly with Airservices Australia or CASA.

Council’s Register of Aviation Related Complaints(PDF, 258KB) is updated at the end of each month.

Kempsey Shire Council has sought feedback from airport users on new measures designed to improve safety and efficiency at Kempsey Airport.

As the owner and operator of Kempsey Airport, Council has proposed a raft of changes, including the widening of the general aviation apron, the resurfacing of the apron and taxiways, the installation of an airside wildlife fence, and the closure of the grass runway. Council is also developing new Conditions of Use for the facility.

Council accepted feedback from airport users on the proposed changes until Friday 22 October 2021.

The proposed rehabilitation of the apron and taxiways is designed to improve airport safety and allow the airport to accommodate larger aircraft, including medevac and Rural Fire Service fixed wing and non-fixed wing aircraft.

The new airside wildlife fence is intended to mitigate hazards associated with kangaroos and wallabies entering aircraft movement areas. This project involves the construction of approximately 5,350m of fauna exclusion fencing around the runway, taxiway, apron and aircraft parking areas.

While Kempsey Airport’s grass runway had been temporarily closed, Council is implementing a permanent closure in line with the stakeholder consultation undertaken in November 2020 and Safety Case recommendations made by Aviation Projects in December 2020.

Council has also drafted Conditions of Use for Kempsey Airport which set out the conditions under which airport users are authorised to access the airport and use runways, taxiways, aircraft parking areas and other aeronautical services and facilities. The publication includes notice periods for restrictions of use of the airport and services, fees and charges for aircraft movements, payment terms and processes, and third-party liability insurance requirements.

To provide your feedback about these projects directly to Council staff, please phone 6566 3200 or email ksc@kempsey.nsw.gov.au.