Airport height restriction zones

When

Details

Transport for NSW advises vessel operators that a height restriction zone will be permanently in place in the waters surrounding the Sydney Airport Runways.  There are two zones, each split into two distinct areas, being a 40 foot and 60 foot height restriction zone.

Special event area

Due to the potential to affect the safety of navigation, Transport for NSW has declared a Special Event Area (the Areas) on the navigable waters of Botany Bay.

Height restriction zones

The International Civil Aviation Organisation and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) require that airports have processes in place to protect arriving and departing aircraft from obstacles.  Due to the potential of vessel masts to affect the safety of arriving and departing aircraft, Transport for NSW has established a height restriction zone extending in a southerly direction from each of the two runways from the Sydney Airport that extend into Botany Bay.

Sydney Airport Corporation Ltd (SACL) identified that in order for the airport to meet CASA requirements, a safety buffer zone for aircraft landing over Botany Bay needed to be established.  Transport for NSW in consultation with SACL has established two height restricted areas under the approach paths of both runways.  Each of the height restriction zones form a rectangular pattern that extend in a southerly direction for a distance of 1050 metres by 690 metres wide. 

The two zones are defined by the following coordinates:

1. Main North South Runway (Cooks River side) – encompassing the approximate positions Latitude 33°58.110’S, Longitude 151°10.676’E and Latitude 33°58.081’S, Longitude 151°11.125’E in the north and southerly to Latitude 33°58.625’S, Longitude 151°10.811’E, and Latitude 33°58.547’S, Longitude 151°11.246’E.
2. Parallel North South Runway (Port Botany side) – encompassing the approximate positions Latitude 33°58.459’S, Longitude 151°11.454’E and Latitude 33°58.380’S, Longitude 151°11.893’E in the north and southerly to Latitude 33°59.041’S, Longitude 151°11.605’E, and Latitude 33°58.962’S, Longitude 151°12.044’E.
3. Vessels with an overall height greater than 40 feet and/or 60 feet are required to keep clear of the relevant areas (see map).

The attached graphic (pdf map) details the two zones and the mast height restricted areas. (PDF 2.23MB)

Directions

Transport for NSW advise:

• Persons within the vicinity of the Special Event Area must comply with any directions given by a Boating Safety Officer or Police Officer in relation to the Special Event or to marine safety. Failure to comply with any such direction is an offence (Marine Safety Act 1998, s.15A - Maximum Penalty $3,300.00).
• No over height vessels are permitted to enter the Area and to do so may be an offence (Marine Safety Act 1998, s.12(6) - Maximum Penalty $1,100.00).

Maps and charts affected

To see the area affected, refer to:

• Transport for NSW Boating Map – 9F (PDF 4.09MB)
• AUS charts – 196, 197, 198 and 199.

AUS charts are official paper nautical charts published by the Australian Hydrographic Office (AHO), Australia's national charting authority.