Mission Beach helicopter base restrictions agreed by Kestrel Aviation

An aviation company looking to establish a helicopter base in the Far North has accepted a number of restrictions following a year-long legal battle.

AN AVIATION company looking to establish a helicopter base in a Far Northern town has accepted a number of restrictions following a year-long legal battle.

In March 2021, Mission Beach conservation group C4 logged an appeal against Cassowary Coast Regional Council’s decision to approve Kestrel Aviation’s application for a helicopter base at 2224 Tully-Mission Road.

The initial application had received 55 submissions against it and led to a number of community rallies over concerns about potential environmental impacts such as noise from the base and its negative effects on Mission Beach’s nature-based tourism reputation and property values.

On Monday, Cairns Planning and Environment Court Judge Dean Morzone approved a settlement, imposing limits on the size of helicopters, operating frequency, noise creation and stored fuel, and excluding flight training and engine maintenance at the site.

C4 president Peter Rowles said while the appeal did not block the construction of the base all together, the court decision would still benefit Mission Beach and its environment.

“We were able to secure some more favourable conditions governing its operation than those the council saw fit to impose despite widespread community opposition,” Mr Rowles said.

“The bottom line is that continued court action was unlikely to result in the blocking of the project or further concessions from the developer. In view of the considerable expenditure required and the improbability of a better outcome, C4 could not justify continuing the appeal.”

“More than a year after the initial approval, a mediated settlement has been reached, which is significantly better for the community and the environment than the original approval. It has locked in conditions which could well have been lost if the objection was sustained through an unsuccessful court action.”

Kestrel Aviation has been contacted for comment.

Originally published as Mission Beach helicopter base restrictions agreed by Kestrel Aviation