Aviation expert raises technical issues about helipad on River Torrens in public consultation

DANGEROUS wind turbulence, noise complaints and commercial operations in Adelaide’s Park Lands are among several concerns raised by an expert about a helipad proposed along the River Torrens.

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DANGEROUS air turbulence, extreme noise and commercial operations are among a range of concerns over a proposed helipad on the banks of the River Torrens in the Adelaide Park Lands.

Former Adelaide Airport air traffic control manager, Walter Dollman, 69, has submitted several issues about the suitability of the preferred helipad site with council.

“From a technical point of view it seems to be an example of how you wouldn’t go about it,” said Mr Dollman, now a consultant for International Air Transport Association.

He said the proposed site, immediately west of Morphett St bridge, intercepts the jet flight path over North Adelaide and the helipad on top of the new RAH — just a few hundred metres away.

Mr Dollman said the “big technical problem” was how to separate the helicopters and jets coming in and out of Adelaide.

Dangerous air turbulence, extreme noise and commercial operations are among concerns over a proposed helipad on the banks of the River Torrens.

“Air traffic controllers need to either visually see the aircraft with binoculars, or see them on radar but they won’t be able to do either in this particular case because the aircraft will be hidden behind buildings on the water’s edge,” he said.

In another submission, resident John Bridgland raised concerns about the lack of clarity about the site being in the Park Lands or “riverbank zone” — which has varying development approval processes — and former contamination at the site which lead to it being remediated and capped with earth to “create a new park” in March 2014.

Adelaide City Councillor Anne Moran will next week ask council if they can explore helipads on city rooftops at a park lands committee.