Howabout, there is nothing in the regs that mandates that a control zone should go out to 12 miles at ground level or that the approach controller must be responsible for that airspace.
At one time the Coffs airspace went to 19 miles at ground level It's now 7 miles
The concrete argument is that it is clear that the leadership is not game to make changes.
Over the years a small number of RAAF personel, some in senior positions, have told me that the changes would be made.
I bet once there is a mid air that the changes will then be made.. Why not do them now before lives are lost?
If the tower controlled the airspace to the coast it's clear that the holding would rarely have to take place. Canberra Tower controls the airspace to 9nm. If Civilian Controllers can somehow cope with this arduous task- why can't the Military Controllers?
It just needs proper leadership. It is embarrassing for Australia that this is lacking in the RAAF