Helipad unacceptable
JOHNSON Property Group (JPG) has lodged an application with the NSW planning department for a helipad. The plan is to connect the helipad to the approved 188-berth marina in Bardens Bay for the purpose of transporting tourists to the marina.
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The developer (JPG) states that although the helipad was removed from the concept plan it is now a requirement by “the investors”.
To accommodate a helipad a further 6400 square metres of community crown land (ie the waters of Lake Macquarie) is required for the personal use of a select few. The additional 6400 square metres no-go zone surrounding the proposed heliport site is set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) requirements.
Lake Macquarie residents and ratepayers currently pay an environmental levy to maintain the lake. The NSW Crown Lands department has no right to lease any part of community property to a single person for commercial gain.
This proposal is unacceptable. Every resident should be up in arms.
- Irene Bates, Brightwaters
Real reason for helipad
JOHNSON Property Group (JPG) has revived the idea of putting a helipad on the marina at Trinity Point.
Apparently the original idea was for off-duty Emirates airline staff to visit via helicopter. What did they expect to do here?
All went quiet for a while but it is now back on the agenda. On March 24 they conducted a noise test using a small “squirrel machine’’. After circling around, but not conducting landings or full power take-offs, it was concluded that up to 40 movements per day could be conducted within the noise restrictions.
As helicopters need to circle at 1.5 kilometres from the landing zone to view the wind sock to allow them to land into the wind and also need to take off into the wind, this will create considerable disturbance to residents, schools and business under the flight path.
At an “information” day hosted by JPG on May 31, when I asked how this helipad would benefit the local community they replied “It will create employment”.
This is a bit hard to swallow - maybe they will recruit unemployed people to crew the guard and rescue boats patrolling the 6.4-hectare exclusion zone in Bardens Bay?
Until a formal DA is submitted, it is difficult to determine the real reason for the helipad.
One lady was told at the information day that it was to allow day-trippers to drop in on winery tours.
Are we to suffer the loss of the public utility of the lake as well as the noise, pollution, damage by accidents and severe downwash upsetting small craft solely for private business interests?
- George Aungle, Morisset
Bad first impression
FASSIFERN railway station needs a shelter near the bus stop. The current methods are to shelter just outside the platform then run when the bus is due - often resulting in a missed connection - or sheltering under the disused Toronto line to wait adjacent to the stop. This is not a good introduction to the area for visitors.
- Margaret Probert, Blackalls Park
Stop greyhound ban
I WOULD like to point out that the welfare of greyhounds is more important than humans. In Australia we terminate tens of thousands of unborn humans each year, many more than the greyhounds put down. Most people in the racing fraternity love their dogs. Painting all dog owners as cruel owners, is like saying all politicians are liars. A small section may be cruel, as some politicians are habitual liars. The racing industry must take direct action on the NSW government, and stop this ban in its tracks.
- Richard Ryan, Summerland Point