Statement of Expectations

For the Board of Airservices Australia

For the period 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011

This Statement of Expectations (SOE) outlines in a formal and public way, my expectations concerning the operations and performance of Airservices Australia (Airservices) from 1 July 2010 – 30 June 2011.  This SOE serves as a notice of strategic direction to Airservices under section 17 of the Air Services Act 1995.

The Government’s vision for Airservices is that it efficiently and effectively performs its statutory functions to deliver safe, high quality air navigation and related services for the benefit of the Australian community.  The Government expects that, consistent with subsection 9(1) of the Air Services Act 1995, Airservices must regard the safety of air navigation as the most important consideration in performing its functions.

As the Board of Airservices, I expect that you:

·                    will ensure that Airservices acts in accordance with the Air Services Act 1995, Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997 (and associated regulations) as well as other relevant legislation and legal instruments; and

·                    will keep me and the Secretary of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government (the Department), through the Chair of the Board, fully informed of Airservices’ actions in relation to the initiatives and activities stated below, and alert me to events or issues that may impact on the operations of Airservices, including the provision of timely:

·               Board reports; and

·               Quarterly reports of progress against the Corporate Plan.

My expectations are that Airservices will:

1.                  perform its functions in a manner that supports Government policy, specifically the following three key aviation goals outlined in the National Aviation Policy White Paper:

·               safety remains the highest priority;

·               a responsible approach to managing the environmental impacts of aviation; and

·               a coordinated approach to airport planning and investment.

2.                  implement relevant air traffic management and other initiatives of the White Paper (in conjunction with the Department, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and the Department of Defence as appropriate).

3.                  engage constructively in processes where it can provide information, assistance or advice for the purpose of policy formulation, implementation and regulation being undertaken by Government agencies, both within and outside my portfolio.

4.                  assist in implementing the Government’s environmental initiatives in relation to climate change and aircraft noise management, including the:

·               distribution of information to the public through maintenance and appropriate resourcing of the Noise Enquiry Unit;

·               development of a detailed work program outlining Airservices initiatives in managing, monitoring and reporting on the environmental effects of aircraft;

·               implementation of Sydney Airport Long Term Operating Plan; and

·               development of advice in relation to the potential for wider use of Required Navigation Performance (RNP) approaches at Australian airports to enhance safety and efficiency, reduce emissions, and minimise noise impacts, and the steps Airservices will take to consult with community and industry stakeholders.

5.                  establish an Aircraft Noise Ombudsman to:

·               conduct independent reviews of noise enquiry and complaints handling;

·               make recommendations for improvements where necessary; and

·               monitor Airservices’ consultation arrangements and presentation of noise information with a view to continuing to improve the flow of information to noise affected communities.   

6.                  provide a clearly defined Aerodrome Rescue and Fire Fighting Service (ARFFS) for civil operations at civil and joint-user airports that meet the establishment criteria in the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998.

7.                  continue the implementation of a number of agreed joint civil and military aviation harmonisation initiatives in conjunction with the Department of Defence.

8.                  through a sound financial platform, continue to invest in future infrastructure upgrades and replacement programs as demonstrated in a detailed capital expenditure program.  

9.                  develop through consultation with key stakeholders, a new Long Term Pricing Agreement for the period 2011 to 2016 consistent with Government policy settings as outlined in the Aviation White Paper.

10.             commit to a strong focus on human resource issues, including publication of an annual update of the Airservices Australia Workforce Plan, and the development and implementation of proactive training and retention policies.

11.             continue to support the Government’s aviation safety agenda in the Asia/Pacific region.

12.             adhere to values and a code of conduct that maintains high standards of professionalism, customer service, probity, reporting, accountability and transparency, consistent with the Government’s aim of excellence in the public sector.