Airport Development

Building and Construction at Launceston Airport

What You Need to Know

If you're planning any building or construction work at Launceston Airport, it's important to know that it’s regulated under the Airports Act 1996 and the Airports (Building Control) Regulations 1996. All building approvals on airport land are handled under Commonwealth law—not local or state law.

Getting Approval

Before starting any construction, you must get approval from the Airport Building Controller (ABC) for Launceston Airport. This includes submitting an application, which the ABC will review based on the guidelines set out in the Regulations. You can get the ABC's contact details from Launceston Airport if needed.

Before building activity is commenced on Launceston Airport land, a permit under the provisions of the Airports Act 1996 and Airports (Building Control) Regulations 1996 must be obtained from the ABC.

What Counts as a 'Building Activity'?

Building activities that require approval include:

• Constructing buildings or structures (like fences, bridges, pylons)
• Altering existing buildings or structures
• Earthworks (not part of a building structure)
• Installing, changing, or removing systems like electrical, fire safety, or plumbing
• Demolishing or removing buildings or earthworks
• Civil or engineering works (e.g., runways, taxiways, roads, car parks, retaining walls)

Who Can Apply?

In most cases, Australian Pacific Airports (Launceston) Pty Ltd (APAL) will submit the application. But if another person or company applies, they’ll need written consent from APAL (as the Airport Lessee Company) before the ABC can approve the work.

APAL will only give consent if the proposed work aligns with the Launceston Airport Master Plan, the Environment Strategy, and any other relevant requirements.

Building Applications Register

Since 27 March 2010, under Regulation 2.04A, APAL must publish certain information about building applications on the Launceston Airport website. This is to ensure transparency.

Note:

• If APAL is not the applicant, the 'Date Submitted' refers to when APAL (as the Lessee) received the application from the ABC.
• If APAL is the applicant, it's the date the application was submitted to the ABC.