Council votes to shatter jewel in the crown of Cassowary Coast

 At 8am  21st January around 100 residents from Mission Beach gathered  in the park opposite the Tully  Council Chambers in anticipation of  a decision on the  proposed heliport  for  2224 Tully Mission Beach Road Mission Beach.

​Despite the  threatening weather those gathered  stayed until 11am when the helipad agenda item  was discussed  and the council cast their vote. It was with  little surprise but great disappointment  to the crowd when the councillors voted  6 - 1 in favour of the development.

​Win News  was  there to  cover the  story.

Division 3 Cr Tschui was the  single dissenting vote  saying she had listened to   her constituents   concerns.  Cr Tschui commented   the word she was looking for to describe  community  sentiment was Ethos, meaning character,   adding  "It is  used   to describe the guiding beliefs or ideals that characterize a community, nation, or ideology."
​Cr Tschui  said the  development  "Simply does not align  with the  ethos that is Mission Beach."    and "There is nothing that lends itself  to the  lifestyle  Mission Beach is renowned for."   

Liz Gallie  of Mission Beach Cassowaries said, "It appears the Planner has attempted to  address  some of the communities concerns by  including statements about  cassowaries,  Native title land  and   defining the actual use  of the land."   "But the latest report contained even more inconsistencies and contradictions, justifying  recommending approval  of  the development, with  irrelevant   details  of  helicopter  use at other locations". 

"The main issue, noise, has not been dealt with" said Liz 

Cr Barnes emphasised  the council was not  making a decision on the impacts of helicopters while in the air only on  the development  while the helicopters are on the ground. 

Reasons given   by other councillors  for their support of the development include    a claim cassowary numbers are increasing and   that helicopters are  operating over lots of cassowary habitat already. 

Cr Farinelli  commented   the websites she had  consulted   didn't contain any information about helicopters and cassowaries saying. "In my  opinion, that was because helicopters fly and cassowaries don't."

 Cr Baines, who holds the CCRC environment portfolio, made no comments during the  debate and voted  to approve the development.
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 The Mayor summed up by saying the councillors had all been well informed and could make  a considered  and informed decision adding  " The development  was overall consistent with  Cassowary Coast Regional Council Planning Scheme and the  FNQ 2031 Regional Plan. 

C4 President Peter Rowles said  "The council has approved a noisy disruption to our lifestyle  and  high value environment because  the Planning Scheme  doesn't  provide the legal protection it should"

The community say they will  now  be considering what options are available to challenge the  council's decision. 
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See below the  live streamed meeting.

Council  meeting  21 Jan 2021  live stream.  Item 7.3 DA   Heliport  starts 1:36.00