79-storey skyscraper is a 'hazard' for aircraft

A 79-STOREY skyscraper under construction in Brisbane has been branded a serious aircraft hazard by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

CASA has called on the Federal Government to veto approval of the Vision building in Mary St, saying it would intrude into the air corridor and cause a radar shadow at Brisbane airport.

The Brisbane Airport Corporation also condemned the project, saying a 79-storey, 287m building posed a risk in the event of an “engine-out scenario” requiring a plane to have a longer climbing distance.

“There are complex navigation issues,” said the corporation’s Jim Carden. “We’ve always had concerns about this.”

Airservices Australia – which is responsible for air-traffic safety – also has raised concerns.

The dispute is likely to have a significant impact on future tall buildings proposed in the CBD. The city council last year relaxed height restrictions.

A spokesman for the federal Department of Infrastructure and Transport said Vision had been approved to a maximum height of 250m, “taking into account conditions set out in the advice of Airservices and CASA, including obstacle lighting requirements.”

However, its developer, Austcorp, said construction would continue and the building’s full height had approval from the Brisbane City Council.

General Manager Terry Lee said its basement would be complete by September and work on the tower would begin soon after.

Lord Mayor Campbell Newman said council’s development approvals do not override airspace requirements, which must be obtained by the developer.