Championing Safety in Aviation

This week, Ash McAlpine, our Director of Aviation and the Chair of the Australian Aviation Wildlife Hazard Group (AAWHG), attended the Safeskies Australia 2024 Conference in Canberra. The annual event aims to promote aviation safety through education, bringing together like-minded individuals to share their knowledge and expertise.

Earlier today, the Mini Safety Summit was held as part of the program, addressing critical safety challenges facing the aviation sector, where Ash had the honour of sitting on the panel. He discussed an unhealthy focus on prescriptive compliance, siloed thinking in aviation, and what he believes is the catalyst for both challenges: the need for a robust safety culture.

“I believe positive cultural attitudes and behaviours are vital in any industry, but particularly in aviation, where safety must be the priority for any organisation,” Ash stated.

Since Biodiversity Australia’s inception, airport wildlife and vegetation management has been a core focus, and we have worked with some of Australia’s leading airports on award-winning projects. Our expertise in environmental and risk assessments, along with hazard mitigation, has allowed us to prevent potential issues before they arise.

“We have teams on the ground, working alongside airport staff to ensure not only the safe operations of the airport but also the safety of the surrounding community,” Ash emphasised.

“I think for us, safety is ultimately the outcome of what we do for our clients. Being involved in this year’s Safeskies Conference, and particularly the Mini Safety Summit, aligns perfectly with the values that are important to us as a company.”

As we move forward, we look forward to seeing how Ash’s contributions at the Safeskies Australia 2024 Conference will spark meaningful conversations and drive impactful changes in the aviation sector. Together, we can build a future where safety, compliance, and environmental stewardship go hand in hand, ensuring a thriving ecosystem for all.