Airservices Australia announced today that it will delay implementing the Class D airspace at Ballina-Byron airport until 11 June next year.
The airspace was to have gone live no later than 27 November this year, but according to Airservices problems locating control services have caused the implementation date to be pushed out.
"A detailed analysis of the proposed site for the initial control service identified a number of infrastructure challenges, including line-of-sight obstructions," the Airservices announcement states.
"Airservices is actively working on identifying an alternative site and refining the delivery plan to ensure the location and infrastructure for the aerodrome control solution is fit-for-purpose and meets regulatory requirements."
CASA is believed to have approved the new start date for the new controlled airspace, which will create a Class D CTR with Class D steps up to the base of the Class C at 4500 feet.
CASA recognised the need to do something about rising traffic levels at Ballina in 2015, when a report recommended establishing a Certified Air/Ground Radio Service (CA/GRS). However, the service failed to stop a near-collision in September 2017 between a Cessna Caravan and a Robinson R22.
Airservices Australia established a Surveillance Flight Information Service (SFIS) at Ballina-Byron in 2021, after another proximity incident involving an Airbus A320 and a Jabiru J230 the previous year.
However, another incident involving an Airbus and a Caravan occurred when the SFIS was active in September 2021.
In June 2022, the Office of Airspace regulation handed down an airspace review report, which recommended a Class D tower as the best solution for the increasing traffic at Ballina-Byron.