Hermitage Estate helipad plan back before Bellingen council

For the past four years a luxury estate where guests are invited to ‘pamper and honour’ themselves has been pushing for a helipad on its stately grounds in the Coffs Harbour hinterland. See where it’s at.

Hermitage Estate near Bellingen. Picture: hermitageestate.com

For the past four years a luxury estate where guests are invited to ‘pamper and honour’ themselves has been pushing for a helipad on its stately grounds in the Coffs Harbour hinterland.

Now the proposal is back before Bellingen Shire Council, with the public asked to have their say.

The last time it came to council in late 2020 there was some strong opposition with an anti-helipad banner erected at the soccer fields on the way into town.

Council has explained that several factors have contributed to the delay including resourcing challenges within the organisation, the need to seek external expert advice and further time to request additional information from the applicant particularly in relation to noise.

A sign on the soccer fields leading into Bellingen in 2020 in opposition to the proposed helipad at the Hermes Estate on Promised Land Rd, Gleniffer.

Living area with grand piano at the Hermitage Estate, Bellingen.

The Hermitage Estate at 935 Promised Land Road Glennifer, about 15 minutes from Bellingen, offers the ultimate in luxury accommodation in an increasingly exclusive enclave surrounded by other multimillion-dollar properties.

The Bellingen Valley has changed a lot since its old ‘hippie days’ when the Age of Aquarius arrived in the 70s, buying up defunct dairy farms and sending shockwaves through town with their alternative lifestyles.

Promised Land water holes nearby.

But in recent years it’s the rich and famous who’ve moved in, like the late George Negus and piano player David Helfgott.

Promising lavish amenities and serene surroundings Hermitage Estate is set on five-hectares with manicured gardens and a 500-metre stretch of private riverfront.

Dramatic mountain views from the Hermitage Estate near Bellingen.

The helipad development application points out the estate is located on land zoned RU1 Primary Production.

According to the applicant’s interpretation a helipad is acceptable use in such a zone.

While bed and breakfast accommodation is allowed in the zone – and several already exist in the area – passenger transport facilities are not permitted.

Ultimately it will be up to councillors to decide on what does and doesn’t fit the bill.

Gardens at the estate in Bellingen, NSW.

Details about the frequency of flights are also outlined in the proposal with up to 16 helicopter movements annually – eight arrivals and eight departures.

Flights are proposed to operate between 10am and 5pm, on any day of the week.

The helicopter will operate on a single flight path over the State Forest and will not be based at the estate with no refuelling or helicopter maintenance proposed on site.

The estate was contacted for comment.

The proposal is on public exhibition now until December 19.

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Originally published as Hermitage Estate helipad plan back before Bellingen council