{"id":"F2023L01456","name":"Defence (Defence Area – RAAF Base Williamtown Runway Works) Declaration 2023","slug":"defence-defence-area-raaf-base-williamtown-runway-works-declaration-2023","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":442153,"registerId":"F2023L01456-fast-fetch-1775957237225","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-12","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Defence (Defence Area – RAAF Base Williamtown Runway Works) Declaration 2023","content":"---\nmeta-content-style-type: text/css\nmeta-content-type: application/xhtml+xml; charset=utf-8\n---\n\n![Commonwealth Coat of Arms of Australia](image.001.jpeg)\n\n \n\nDefence (Defence Area – RAAF Base Williamtown Runway Works) Declaration 2023\n\n \n\nI, Matt Thistlethwaite, Assistant Minister for Defence, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence, make the following declaration.\n\nDated 18 October 2023  \n\nMatt Thistlethwaite\n\nAssistant Minister for Defence\n\nParliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\nContents\n\n1  Name\n\n2  Commencement\n\n3  Authority\n\n4  Declaration of Defence Area\n\n5  Repeal of this instrument\n\nSchedule 1—Map\n\n \n\n1  Name\n\n  This instrument is the Defence (Defence Area – RAAF Base Williamtown Runway Works) Declaration 2023.\n\n2  Commencement\n\n  This instrument commences on 14 November 2023.\n\n3  Authority\n\n  This instrument is made under section 58 of the Defence Regulation 2016.\n\n4  Declaration of Defence Area\n\n \n\n (1) The RAAF Base Williamtown runway works area is declared to be a Defence\n\nArea for the defence purpose of supporting safe aircraft operation from RAAF Base Williamtown (including, but not limited to, the operation of Defence Force aircraft for training purposes and in exercises and operations).\n\n (2) Entry into the RAAF Base Williamtown runway works area is prohibited at all times.\n\n  Note: A person may be given permission to enter the area under section 62 of the Defence Regulation 2016\n\n \n\n(3) The RAAF Base Williamtown runway works area is the areas of land adjacent to RAAF Base Williamtown in New South Wales that are depicted on the map set out in Schedule 1 to this instrument.\n\n \n\n(4) The property boundaries and geographical coordinates shown on the map are to be used for the purposes of determining the areas of land depicted on the map.\n\n5  Repeal of this instrument\n\n  This instrument is repealed on 12 November 2028.\n\n  \n\n \n\n\n\n\n \n\nSchedule 1—Map\n\n \n\n![Map depicting the RAAF Base Williamtown runway works area and surrounding land holdings. The map includes lot and plan numbers for affected land parcels and latitude and longitude coordinates for key points of areas of land](image.002.png)\n\n \n\n \n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The instrument remains tightly scoped to its original purpose. It declares a specific Defence Area for a specific infrastructure project (runway works) at a specific location, with a fixed 5-year sunset clause. There is no evidence of scope creep or expansion beyond the immediate safety and operational needs of the RAAF Base Williamtown runway project."},"complexity_factors":["Very short instrument — only 5 operative sections plus a map schedule","Only one defined term used ('RAAF Base Williamtown runway works area'), defined by reference to a map rather than textual description","No cross-references to other legislation except the enabling provision (Defence Regulation 2016, section 58) and a note about permission under section 62","Simple conditional structure: prohibition in subsection (2) with a single exception pathway noted (permission under s 62)","Self-executing repeal clause removes need for future legislative action"],"plain_english_summary":"This instrument declares land adjacent to RAAF Base Williamtown a restricted Defence Area to protect runway construction and subsequent flight/training activities. It prohibits public entry (except with Defence permission), giving the ADF authority to control access and enforce safety. The restriction began 14 Nov 2023 and automatically ends 12 Nov 2028; exact boundaries are on the attached map."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This instrument exercises the existing regulatory power to declare a defence area under section 58 of the Defence Regulation 2016 for a specific, mapped locality and period. It does not expand statutory powers or add new regulatory obligations beyond the declaration and prohibition; rather it applies those existing powers to a defined area and time (see sections 3–5 and Schedule 1)."},"complexity_factors":["Short, single-purpose instrument with clear operative effect (declaration + prohibition) — (see sections 4(1)–(2))","Relies on external statutory authority (made under section 58 of the Defence Regulation 2016) rather than creating new legislative powers — (see section 3)","Uses a map with property boundaries and geographic coordinates to define the area, requiring spatial interpretation for enforcement and compliance — (see section 4(3)–(4) and Schedule 1)","Discretion to permit entry is reserved to the Defence Regulation (referenced s62), so operational decision-making sits outside the instrument — (see note to section 4(2))","Time-limited operation with explicit commencement and repeal dates, creating a defined compliance window for affected parties — (see sections 2 and 5)","Does not specify enforcement mechanisms, compensation, or administrative processes within the instrument, which may necessitate separate operational or legal steps for implementation"],"plain_english_summary":"This instrument declares a specific area adjacent to RAAF Base Williamtown to be a Defence Area to support safe aircraft operations and related activities. Entry to the mapped runway works area is prohibited at all times, though permission to enter can be granted under section 62 of the Defence Regulation 2016. The declaration takes effect 14 November 2023 and automatically repeals on 12 November 2028."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/defence-defence-area-raaf-base-williamtown-runway-works-declaration-2023","history":"/api/acts/defence-defence-area-raaf-base-williamtown-runway-works-declaration-2023/history","analysis":"/api/acts/defence-defence-area-raaf-base-williamtown-runway-works-declaration-2023/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/defence-defence-area-raaf-base-williamtown-runway-works-declaration-2023/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/defence-defence-area-raaf-base-williamtown-runway-works-declaration-2023/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/defence-defence-area-raaf-base-williamtown-runway-works-declaration-2023/documents"}}