So we are planning to change airspace.
Australian Airspace Policy Statement 2015 as signed by one Warren Truss, Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development is the reference document. Signed 8th of July 2015.
https://infrastructure.gov.au/aviati...ement_2015.pdf
Process for Changing the Classification of a Volume of Airspace at an Aerodrome
To help determine when changes to airspace classification may be required in the airspace immediately around an aerodrome, (referred to as the control zone at a controlled aerodrome) the following criteria will be used: annual passenger transport operations (PTO) aircraft movements, the annual number of passengers and total annual aircraft movements (see Table 1).
Class B 1/ 750,000 2/250,000 3/25 million
Class C 1/400,000 2/30,000 3/1 million
Class D 1/80,000 2/15,000 3/350,000
1/Total annual aircraft movements
2/Total annual PTO aircraft movements
3/Total annual PTO passengers
Process for Applying the Criteria
18 When annual traffic levels at an aerodrome meet a threshold of any one of the criteria CASA should complete an aeronautical risk review in consultation with the public, industry and other government agencies, subject to the requirements of Paragraph 24.
19 CASA will then make a determination to change the classification of airspace if necessary.
20 If annual traffic levels at an aerodrome fall below all three thresholds for its current classification, CASA should complete a similar risk review to determine whether a lower classification of airspace is appropriate, subject to the requirements of Paragraph 24.
21 If CASA has completed an aeronautical risk review in the previous year then it may choose to update that existing review if an aerodrome were to meet or fall below the threshold levels in the following year.
22 While the criteria provide a good indicator of likely airspace classification, CASA will be able to consider public, industry and agency comments, forecast future traffic levels and any significant risk mitigators already in place or planned at the location, before finalising an airspace determination.
23 This process will be undertaken by CASA in close consultation with Airservices, given that agency’s responsibility for the introduction of new or changed air traffic services and facilities arising from such CASA determinations.
24 Notwithstanding the above, these criteria do not preclude CASA examining the requirement for airspace changes at other aerodrome locations should CASA consider such examination is required, for example, on risk or safety grounds.
Process for Changing the Class or Designation of a Volume of Airspace
25 CASA’s risk review process should be consistent with published Australian Standards for risk management as updated.
26 The process for change will commence with CASA or a proponent identifying the volumes of airspace to be reviewed in accordance with Section 13 of the Airspace Act 2007; and be accompanied by comprehensive supporting evidence for the proposed change.
27 The review process will then lead to the completion of a risk assessment of the particular volume of airspace under review.
28 The risk assessment should take into account the types of aircraft involved, the density of air traffic, the meteorological conditions, topography and such other factors as may be relevant.
29 On completion of the risk assessment process, CASA shall outline its proposals on the overall safety requirement for a particular airspace classification or designation.
30 These proposals will be to (a) change the classification or designation of airspace, (b) not change a classification or designation, but make other proposals to improve airspace arrangements, or (c) recommend a continuation of current airspace arrangements without any other proposals.
31 CASA will provide these proposals for public comment and, after considering these comments, make a determination to be implemented as directed by CASA, by the relevant parties.
32 Following a decision to change the class of a volume of airspace (a determination), that change must be formalised as a legislative instrument, endorsed by the airspace delegate, and published on FRLI. After a change has been registered on the FRLI, it can then take effect on, or after, the day on which the determination is published in the AIP or when notified by a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM). Designations of Prohibited, Restricted and Danger Areas may be published in the AIP or notified by a NOTAM subject to the requirements of the Airspace Regulations 2007.
33 There may be times when urgent decisions are required to meet a safety imperative and it may not be practicable to comply with parts of this process.
Regional Aerodromes
40 The Government is committed to ensuring that effective ATM infrastructure and systems are used to protect and enhance air safety, with ATM services being extended to more regional areas as appropriate, where there has been or is likely to be growing passenger transport services.
41 CASA should ensure that appropriate airspace arrangements are in place at all aerodromes regularly served by passenger transport services which respond to changes in aviation activity over time such as changes in traffic density, the mix of aircraft types and increases in passenger transport services.
The process for change will commence with ... a proponent (Dick Smith) identifying the volumes of airspace to be reviewed in accordance with Section 13 of the Airspace Act 2007; and be accompanied by comprehensive supporting evidence for the proposed change.
Section 13 Regular reviews
Classifications of volumes of Australian‑administered airspace
(1) CASA has the function of conducting regular reviews of the existing classifications of volumes of Australian‑administered airspace in order to determine whether those classifications are appropriate.
Services and facilities
(2) CASA has the function of conducting regular reviews of the existing services and facilities provided by the providers of air navigation services in relation to particular volumes of Australian‑administered airspace in order to determine whether those services and facilities are appropriate.
General
(3) CASA has the function of conducting regular reviews of Australian‑administered airspace generally in order to identify risk factors and to determine whether there is safe and efficient use of that airspace and equitable access to that airspace for all users of that airspace.
As an aside, why isn't Sydney CTA/CTR Class B?