DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999, Fax: 02 6265 1545
MSPA 277/09
Friday, 21 August 2009
PUBLIC CONSULTATION - SUPER HORNET OPERATIONS AT
RAAF AMBERLEY
The people of Ipswich are being encouraged to participate in community information sessions
prior to the arrival at RAAF Base Amberley next year of the next generation of air combat
aircraft, the much anticipated F/A-18F Super Hornet.
In preparation for arrival of the new aircraft, Air Force is completing a Public Environment
Report on Super Hornet operations at Amberley. The draft report was publicly released today
and the community is invited to comment.
“The Super Hornet will fly differently to the F-111 and people in communities around
Amberley may notice a change in the pattern of aircraft noise in certain areas,” Deputy Chief
of Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal Geoff Brown said.
“RAAF Base Amberley enjoys a strong relationship with communities in the Ipswich region
and I encourage community members who are interested to view the report and attend an
information session,” AVM Brown said.
“Air Force is committed to providing as much information as possible to the public, and
welcomes input from the community on how they feel the change from F-111 to Super Hornet
flying operations might affect them and the environment around the Base,” AVM Brown said.
Air Force is providing the Ipswich community with detailed information about potential
environmental impacts of Super Hornet operations, including changes to aircraft noise patterns
in the Ipswich area.
“People will see we have already made significant changes to the proposed Super Hornet
operational profiles to minimise noise impacts on communities near Amberley,” Air Vice-
Marshal Brown added.
The differences in flying operations between F-111 and Super Hornet will be explained in
detail in the draft Public Environment Report and during community information sessions.
The public consultation period will run from 21 August until 2 October 2009. Air Force will
conduct five community information sessions around the Ipswich area in August and
September. Details of the information sessions will be advertised in local, state and national
newspapers. For those who cannot attend one of these sessions, the Public Environment
People will also be able to find out more information by calling the free 1800 451 766 phone
number.
The draft Public Environment Report is being completed in accordance with Commonwealth
environmental legislation using formal guidelines set by the Department of the Environment,
Water, Heritage and the Arts. Air Force will incorporate community feedback into a final
DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999, Fax: 02 6265 1545
report for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, the Hon Peter Garrett AM
MP.
Air Force will begin a phased introduction of its 24 F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft at RAAF
Base Amberley from March/April 2010.
Media contact: Defence Media Liaison: 02 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664
NEWS 
