OTR owners Peregrine Corporation could land choppers in eastern suburbs schools in an emergency
The owners of SA’s largest petrol chain has listed a prestigious private school as an emergency landing point if its chopper gets in trouble. But the principal says they know nothing about it.
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Helicopters chartered by OTR owners Peregrine Corporation have listed five eastern suburbs schools as emergency landing sites – but at least one school has said they had no idea about the plan and don’t support it.
Loreto College principal Nicole Archard told The Messenger it was “cheeky” for Peregrine to list the school as a landing area for its proposed helipad without any conversations.
“We’ve had zero discussions,” Dr Archard said.
“It’s news to us. I know nothing. And it’s not something we would support.
“Student safety is our number one priority.
“The courtesy would be to discuss it with us before putting us down on the application.”
In its environmental impact report tabled with the State Government, Peregrine listed eight “emergency laydown areas” including five schools – Marryatville primary and high schools, Pembroke School, Saint Ignatius College Junior School and Loreto College.
The Messenger has contacted the other schools for comment and to ask whether they were aware they were listed as emergency landing points.
Peregrine, which applied to install a helipad on top of its planned $50 million, seven-storey headquarters on The Parade, said on Wednesday it has “met with and briefed local schools” about the proposal.
Other landings locations are the Buttery Sportsground in Norwood, Kensington Park Oval and Haslam Oval at the Magill Little Athletics Centre.
In a letter to the Planning Department, which was attached to its impact report, Peregrine said site availability would be “sporadic depending on their use for educational and community purposes”.
It also stated Peregrine has held discussions with operators and owners “as to their current use”.
“None of these locations should be used for ‘pre-planned’ landings,” the letter reads.
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Peregrine said its new headquarters was “strategically situated in an area surrounded by multiple available sites that could be used as emergency laydown areas”.
“As all operations will be conducted during daylight hours only, all these sites become
viable options for emergency use,” the letter reads.
“In an emergency landing situation helicopters, unlike fixed wing, only require a small area for an emergency landing.”
The Education Department has also been sought for comment.
Residents can comment on Peregrine’s plans at saplanningportal.sa.gov.au/public_notices until March 13.