Residents vow to fight helicopter landing site slated for Pt Leo Estate
A Mornington Peninsula winery’s plan to install a helipad and chopper in patrons has come under fire, with locals fearful it will ruin the “pristine” area. But the operators are promising restrictions.
South East
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Plans for a helicopter landing site at Pt Leo Estate have flown into a community backlash.
An application for an “informal helipad” — at the winery at Frankston-Flinders Rd, Merricks — has been lodged with Mornington Peninsula Shire Council.
Planning firm Watsons, for the Estate operators, said the helipad would be used by Pt Leo Estate patrons “on an as needs basis”.
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“No more than 12 trips per calendar month will be proposed,” Watsons stated in documents lodged with the council.
“Hours of use will be limited to after 10am and no later than 6pm on any given day.”
But Pt Leo resident Murray Turner said the helicopters should land at Tyabb Airfield with the estate patrons then commuting to the winery by car.
Mr Turner said the helicopters would ruin the amenity of the area.
“We chose this area because it’s tranquil and helicopters aren’t exactly tranquil,” he said.
Mr Turner also raised safety concerns.
“It’s pristine in there — if there’s a fuel spill or disaster, we don’t have the resources to deal with it.”
Fellow resident Chris Byrt, who runs an art gallery in nearby Red Hill, said helicopters would bring “massive disturbance” to residents.
“They are an absolute curse,” Ms Byrt wrote online.
In its application, Watsons said the proposed helipad site was close to the estate’s restaurant and sculpture park.
The site had been chosen to minimise the impact on both agricultural land and neighbours, Watsons stated.
It said the informal helipad was slated for “existing pasture” with no earthworks required.
“The proposal is consistent with the requirements of the Mornington Peninsula Planning Scheme,” Watons stated.
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council mayor David Gill said the matter would be determined by councillors and both the applicant and objectors would be able to put their cases.