Information for Landowners

Code of Conduct

Balloonists work very hard to maintain a positive public image of their operations. The Professional Ballooning Association of Australia and the Australian Ballooning Federation both require their members to adhere to strict Code’s of Conduct which include elements relating to Landowner Relations. Failure to abide by these codes can lead to sanctions and/or loss of flight privileges.

What balloonists strive to do!

Be courteous and polite to land occupiers and respectfully of a landowner’s rights.
Make reasonable efforts to obtain permission prior to entering private property.
Always leave launch and landing areas in the same condition as they found them with gates, fences and locks in the same state as prior to use.
Fly in a manner which does not disturb residents or livestock unduly.
Always ascertain the location, dimensions and restrictions associated with sensitive zones prior to flying in an area.
Avoid known sensitive zones.
Communicate information about new or changed sensitive zones to all other pilots and operators who fly in the same area.

What balloonists’ work very hard not to do!

Cause injury to livestock, damage to property or distress to people.

Sensitive Zones (SZ's)

Despite concerted efforts there are places where land owners or occupiers would prefer that balloons did not land or overfly at low level. There are other areas where balloonists would prefer not to operate because of particular operational difficulties. Balloonists term these areas ‘Sensitive Zones’ or SZ’s.

SZ’s are established voluntarily by balloonists as a result of local knowledge and experience or land owner request and apply to all balloon flights. Some of the more common reasons that SZs’ are created include:

Livestock ( race horses, chickens and pigs in particular);
Quarantine requirements (trial crops, chemical use);
Areas under crop;
Security ( typically prison, military or construction sites).

First Steps

Landowners and balloonists need to work together when issues arise. Without a co-operative approach, neither the landowners or balloonists needs can be met. If a landowner has an issue with the operation of a balloon then the first step is to raise the matter with a local balloonist, preferably the one whose operations are causing concern but if that person is not easily identitied then any local balloon operator, the Professional Ballooning Association of Australia or the Australian Ballooning Federation will assist.

Getting an area listed as a Sensitive Zone.

Landowners who would like an SZ established must be prepared to provide some details so that balloonists can identify the extent of the area which needs to be avoided. It is simply impossible for balloonists to avoid an area if they do not have a clear description of its size and location!

The easiest way to do this is to talk to the balloonist whose operations have caused the concern. In the event that a landowner is unable to identify or contact the balloonist concerned they should contact another balloon operator in the area, the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

So that the ballooning community can comply with your request we need to have some information. Details which you will be asked for include:

Boundary definition – boundaries of the area or a centre point and a radius around that point (eg 500 metres / 1 km) ;
An identifying property name or address;
A reason for the request;
Whether it is a permanent or temporary request;
A contact telephone number so that the details can be verified by the association.