City launches investigation after councillor has sky high balloon concerns

The City is launching an investigation into the hot air balloon industry. READ ABOUT COUNCIL’S CONCERNS

The Gold Coast City council has launched an investigation into hot air balloons to check on permits compliance and concerns raised about takeoffs and landings near homes.

Robina councillor Dan Doran has raised safety and regulatory concerns about operators in a general business item at Tuesday’s planning committee.

Mr Doran was backed by all councillors at committee in having officers investigate the industry and check on compliance.

This masthead understands the concerns are not limited to permits but relate also to takeoff and landing near properties. No legal action has been brought against the operators.

Mr Doran said he had been made aware there were hot air balloons operating on the Gold Coast without a council permit which contravened laws regarding parks and licensing.

“I have been working with City officers over the past few months, which revealed there has not been a valid permit in place for hot air ballooning since August 2024,” Mr Doran said.

“City officers have written to all previous operators to inform them of their obligations, but as of today, no application has been received.”

Mr Doran provided a photograph he took on July 5 at Emerald Lakes just after 7am which showed several hot balloons above residential properties.

The Gold Coast city council is to scrutinise hot air ballooning on the Gold Coast.

City officers on May 12 had sent out a letter to all hot air balloon business owners advising they needed a licence to land on private property or public parks.

Only 13 parks can be used, the largest including Firth Park at Mudgeeraba, Pizzey Park at Miami, the southern end of the Broadwater Parklands and Riverstone Crossing Sports Park at Upper Coomera.

A City public safety officer in the email wrote: “Enforcement action may occur if your business does not hold a valid licence and undertakes hot air ballooning operations that launch or land on private property or council parks.”

Mr Doran said he had raised the matter for safety reasons and after feedback from residents.

Robina-based Gold Coast City councillor Dan Doran - seeking compliance on hot air balloons.

“I saw four hot air balloons in the sky and subsequently confirmed that as of today there are no approved permits to operate a hot air balloon on the Gold Coast,” he told the Bulletin.

“A permit requires operators to for example have insurance, keep accurate records, operate lawfully, take off and land from approved locations and adhere to noise criteria.

“I am raising this matter because I want comfort that these hot air balloons are safe and operating within the appropriate legislation, which when it comes to air travel, is ultimately designed to keep people safe.”

Planning committee chair Mark Hammel told the committee there was an obvious “safety element” and asked officers about the “need to move” on permits.

Officers said additional compliance would occur in the next two weeks.

Mr Doran told councillors, who all backed him: “The operators may be operating perfectly fine, but they are at this stage in breach of one important permit. We are not sure if they are in breach of any others.”

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Originally published as City launches investigation after councillor has sky high balloon concerns