“DEAR MR CRONIN…PLEASE FLY ELSWEHERE”

Media release
10 Aug 2022

Residents call for developer to rethink location of proposed helicopter aerodrome
An Open letter, to be published in the local Cassowary Coast newspaper, calls on Director of Mission Helicopters Ray Cronin to locate his planned obtrusive helicopter aerodrome business where it cannot disrupt residential areas and wildlife. 

“The present Council-approved site lies between two villages and immediately adjacent to a wilderness reserve” Ms Gallie said “residents and visitors alike are attracted to the very special low-key village atmosphere and nature amenity of Mission Beach – into which this helicopter aerodrome approval has brought nothing but social division, anxiety and stress”.

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“The community has no objection to a helicopter aerodrome being located near Mission Beach, but it must be situated where its operations cannot disrupt residential areas and cassowary habitat” said Ms Gallie “this proposed three-storey industrial hanger complex will introduce a visually jarring and peace-shattering interruption right on the scenic route into town

THE COURT CASE THAT DIDN’T HAPPEN
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With the support of the Mission Beach community, which made many submissions against the Mission Helicopters aerodrome proposal, community group C4 (Community for Coastal and Cassowary Conservation) started a legal appeal against the Council’s approval; but then withdrew from the case in favour of a negotiated agreement allowing Mission Helicopters to conduct 120 helicopter movements daily, from early morning to late afternoon, 7 days a week.

President of local conservation group Mission Beach Cassowaries,  Ms Gallie said “this is not the outcome the community wanted.  Noise trials conducted during C4’s negotiations with Mission Helicopters highlighted just how disruptive and intrusive this helicopter aerodrome would be if it goes ahead”.

UNHAPPY LOCAL RESIDENTS SPEAK UP
“Local residents are speaking up” Ms Gallie said.  “They fear loss of their community’s sense of identity, which depends on the low-key village atmosphere. Decades of consistent feedback from the community have highlighted the special amenity, character and natural environment of Mission Beach”.

New arrivals Robyn and Tony Pembroke moved to Mission Beach from ‘overdeveloped’ Byron Bay, believing they were buying into a peaceful neighbourhood. They had not been advised of the helicopter plans. “It’s unfair to expect residents to accept the noise of a helicopter operation right in the middle of town” said Robyn. “Helicopter noise is extremely loud, unpleasant and intrusive and needs to be well away from houses, especially at a place like Mission Beach”.

Another new resident, who did not wish to be named, had bought a house lot next to the rainforest.  “I was devastated” she said.  “we bought next to the reserve thinking it would be a quiet nature block – we had no idea we’d be next to a helicopter aerodrome! We saved up for this block- it was to be our first home. Now we don’t know what to do. It’s right under the flight path”.

Ends