Burnside Council could seek to ban Peregrine chopper landings in emergency situations

Burnside Council would seek to ban Peregrine helicopters from landing in the area under any circumstances, if a councillor’s idea is supported.

Peregrine Corporation wants to land helicopters on its new Kensington headquarters. Picture: Peregrine.

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Helicopters operated by service station giant Peregrine would be banned from emergency landings in Burnside if a local councillor gets his way.

This follows a bid by Peregrine – parent company of the On The Run franchise group – for a landing pad at its new $50 million Kensington headquarters, on the corner of The Parade and Portrush Rd.

The Messenger understands Peregrine is considering several emergency landing sites, including Kensington Park Reserve.

But Cr Harvey Jones is calling on Burnside Council to submit an official objection to the State Government, requesting a ban on Peregrine helicopters landing at the reserve under any circumstances.

Under his proposal, the council would also seek to ban Peregrine helicopters landing at any other locations within the city of Burnside in an emergency.

The State Government is to consider an environmental report from Peregrine later this year.

The company says its proposed helipad, would be used on only 10 days a year – predominantly to fly staff and guests to and from Peregrine’s motorsport park at Tailem Bend – and only during daylight hours.

Cr Jones will call for support for his push at next Tuesday’s council meeting.

He admitted a helicopter in an emergency situation “would have to come down somewhere” but he wanted to “show solidarity” with Norwood Payneham & St Peters Council.

NP&SP Mayor Bria has already denounced the idea of a helipad.

Cr Jones told The Messenger the Peregrine building was “not an appropriate place to have a landing site”.

“It’s the middle of a suburban area,” he said.

“It’s a safety issue – any support we can give Norwood council is a good thing.”

A Peregrine spokesman said the company was “not in a position to comment” until it had seen Cr Jones’s proposal.