Seaplanes are to touch down on Lake Burley Griffin this month with the National Capital Authority (NCA) approving trial flights to test and refine operational arrangements before permanent operations began.
Chief Executive of the NCA, Sally Barnes said the trial flights aimed to fine-tuning the guidelines around seaplane operations and ensure safety and minimal disruption, especially to those who used the lake for sporting and recreational activities.
Ms Barnes said arrangements would be put in place to enable test flights from 14 to 19 March, including the installation of a pontoon near the National Museum of Australia (NMA) on the West Basin for boarding and disembarking.
“The trial flights will include the Central Basin to evaluate this location as a potential alternative take-off and landing site during elevated levels of activity on West Lake and West Basin,” Ms Barnes said.
“Independent environmental and heritage experts will also assess the seaplane operations in detail.”
She said permanent seaplane operations on Lake Burley Griffin were expected to commence later this year.
Ms Barnes said that following stakeholder feedback and subject to operational, safety and infrastructure matters being considered, the NCA concluded that seaplanes could serve as an additional recreational and tourism activity for local and interstate visitors to Canberra.
“It may also prove to be a potential mode of transport to and from the National Capital,” the NCA Chief Executive said.
“While the NCA supports the introduction of seaplanes to diversify the activities that people can enjoy on the lake, we will be guided foremost by the principles of safety and least disruption to Lake users,” she said.
“Seaplanes will only commence operations once we have sufficiently considered the input of the community and stakeholders as well as the environment and heritage consultants.”
