Council puts helipad proposal to Adelaide Park Lands Authority despite public opposition
A PROPOSAL for a commercial helipad on Adelaide’s parklands has been met with overwhelming public opposition. What do you think - VOTE NOW
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A CBD helipad would attract tourists by providing flights that would give people a greater appreciation of Adelaide’s parklands, the City Council’s administration says.
This is despite overwhelming rejection to the proposal during public consultation.
The council has proposed leasing a portion of the parklands along the River Torrens for a commercial helipad.
While 43 of the 50 respondents opposed the idea, the council has recommended the Adelaide Park Lands Authority support the helipad.
“While commercial operations and impacts on the parklands must be carefully considered and managed, the flights supported by the commercial helipad will provide tourism benefits and the opportunity to increase the connection to, appreciation of, and affection for the parklands when viewed from the air,” the administration wrote in the helipad consultation results.
“It is recommended the authority support the proposed lease.”
Concerns raised by the public during last month’s consultation included commercial activity on the parklands, alienation of the leased area, noise and environmental effects and the operational hours and flight path of helicopters.
The Advertiser last week revealed an aviation expert had expressed major safety concerns about proposed site.
Councillor Anne Moran last week said she would ask the council to explore the potential for helipads on city rooftops — similar to London and New York — at Thursday night’s Adelaide Park Lands Authority meeting, where the proposal will be discussed.
The authority’s advice will be presented to the council on Tuesday.
The administration says operational and planning matters will be addressed as part of the operator’s approval requirements.
This includes an acoustic impact report as part of the development approval and Civil Aviation Safety Authority approval.