Tourism industry backs permanent heliport on Yarra in central Melbourne

MELBOURNE is the only city with a central helipad for tourist and business use. Now tourism bodies are calling for a permanent heliport but politicians say Melbourne shouldn’t feel like an “airport terminal”.

Many racegoers take the helicopter to Flemington. Picture: Sarah Matray

A GROUP of the state’s leading tourism and convention bodies is pushing for Melbourne to have a permanent heliport on the Yarra River.

The organisations are backing a move by operator Microflite to secure a long-term base in central Melbourne, either opposite Crown casino or upstream at a location called the Turning Basin near Enterprize Park.

The move comes as the Greens seek a 5km exclusion zone from the centre of Australian cities.

BUSINESS PUSH FOR HELIPORT

BLACKHAWKS OVER CBD

UBER’S CHOPPER TO THE RACES

Melbourne is the only city to have a central helipad for business and tourist use.

But residential developments have forced helipads out of North Wharf and Docklands, and the Batman Park helipad has a limited lease.

Helipad at Batman Park for Microflite Helicopter Services. Pic: Supplied

Microflite is seeking council permission to share the pad with fellow operator Heli-Serv.

Microflite chief executive Jonathan Booth said the industry needed a permanent terminal to serve the tourism, business and major events organisations. The Moorabbin-based company has bookings from cruise ship visitors for five years in advance.

But Melbourne Greens MP Adam Bandt said that living in Melbourne should not be like living in an airport terminal.

The former helipad at North Wharf. Picture: Ian Currie

“It can feel like that when 80 helicopters take off within a few metres of your home because there’s a race on at Flemington,’’ Mr Bandt said.

“Paris has banned flights at less than 2000m altitude above the city and if we want to protect Melbourne’s liveability, we should do the same.”

Emergency and defence helicopter services are exempt from Mr Bandt’s submission for an exclusion zone.

Visit Victoria chief executive Peter Bingeman said the choppers meant tourists gained easy access to locations such as Great Ocean Rd, Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula.

“Termination of the service would have immediate economic impact on the tourism sector, undermining business events and removing competitive advantage,’’ Mr Bingeman said.

Two helipads have been moved from Docklands and North Wharf, limiting chopper access to the city. Picture: Ian Currie

Melbourne Convention Bureau chief executive Karen Bolinger said convention delegates who had limited time in the city used the chopper service regularly for fast transport to tourist spots.

Victorian Tourism Industry Council chief executive Felicia Mariani also pledged her support for the heliport push.

Microflite has applied to the city council to set up near the existing Batman Park helipad.

A state government spokesman said any firm proposal would be assessed on its merits.

“This would include the opportunity for the public to make submissions,” he said.

Microflite’s Mr Booth said his business was mindful of noise concerns had signed up to the Fly Neighbourly policy,

The suggested locations would not disturb city residents, he said.

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