Community concerns won’t be ignored says tourist operator

Precision Helicopters, a Coffs Harbour-based company wishing to operate scenic helicopter flights from Yamba, has responded to concerns raised by residents.

A spokesperson from Precision Helicopters, a company wishing to operate scenic helicopter flights from Yamba, has responded to concerns raised by residents.

A spokesperson for a company wishing to operate scenic helicopter flights from Yamba has responded to concerns raised by residents.

Earlier this month, residents received a letter from Clarence Valley Council informing them of proposal ACT2021/0244 from Coffs Harbour business Precision Helicopters which seeks approval under a casual licence agreement to operate 10-minute flights alongside the Yamba River Markets.

Since learning of the proposal, Yamba residents have aired their objections on social media, raising concerns about its potential environmental impacts including increased noise pollution for nearby residents.

“In the notification letter received it states the helicopter company proposes to have 10 minute scenic flights over Yamba between 9am – 4pm … so this potentially means up to around 42 flights a day,” Irene Bass posted on social media.

“A scenic flight is sure to go over the river, our beautiful beaches, Angourie, Wooloweyah and perhaps Iluka – which means our whole community will be affected by said noise pollution.”

A spokesperson from Precision Helicopters was disappointed by the negative reaction from the community, but said these concerns will be taken into consideration during the application process as to whether or not to proceed.

“This is one situation that does not really deserve the public attention that it appears to be gaining as being a town that relies on tourism and passing trade,” the spokesperson said.

“It is surprising that some of the locals within the community are not more proactive in increasing visitation to the town by various ways of attraction.”

The spokesperson said Precision Helicopters has been involved in tourism for more than 20 years on the North Coast, including winning three tourism awards, and conduct scenic flights annually at numerous locations throughout NSW, with them being very well received.

“Due to the positive response from other communities, we made initial contact with a member from the Yamba markets, and after receiving a favourable response we lodged an application with council to conduct a trial day,” the spokesperson said.

“At other venues, approximately 80 per cent of the ticket purchasers are local community members wanting to get that bird’s eye view of their local area, so these proposed scenic flights would have given local residents a rare and exciting opportunity to see where they live from the air.”

Submissions to Clarence Valley Council regarding this ancillary proposal close 4pm, May 21, 2021.