Planning and Community expectation key issues at Mission Beach Rally

​Over 200 residents  met at 10am 15th January for  an update on a  proposed  aviation facility they say will destroy their lifestyle and sense of place.

A strong message  was reaffirmed among those who attended that   there is a community expectation for  the council to  make decisions in the  public interest.  For Mission Beach residents  the  things that mold their sense of identity are the quiet, peaceful village atmosphere, the  exceptional natural  environment and the cassowary. They claim the proposed development  would have  an unacceptable  impact on all of those things.  The Planning Scheme  fails to  protect  the values the community say are the  reasons they live at Mission Beach.  
 
ABC TV reporter Jemima Burt was  there to cover the story.

 Liz Gallie  from Mission Beach Cassowaries, Peter Rowles of C4,   and   award winning tourism operator  of   Epic private Journeys, Pedro O'Connor addressed the  crowd   gathered   at Miter Street, located  close to the proposed heliport  flight path.

The  crowd acknowledged and welcomed  the attendance of   The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Barry Barnes.

Peter Rowles impressed  on the crowd the importance of using the Planning scheme to guide the future by avoiding  incompatible  land uses and the importance of  low impact eco based tourism at Mission Beach.

Pedro O'Connor said a helicopter facility would destroy  tourism potential at Mission Beach  adding Mission Beach has not been set up for  high end  tourism  instead known as a low key boutique destination.
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​The community believes they are being   bamboozled by the conflicting claims and say they cannot trust  what is  being said  by the proponent or the planning department.

The following is quoted from the DA lodged in  February 2020 (the basis of  the public consultation),
"Specifically, the applicant proposes to develop an Aviation Facility at the subject site for the purpose of providing passenger transport inclusive of island connections from the region’s major airports (Cairns and Townsville) to support the local tourism sector. Associated uses including medical transfers, aerial firefighting and search and rescue operations will also be undertaken on an as required basis.
It also states the proposal is for air services used for any of the following :

• The arrival and departure of aircraft;
• The housing, servicing, refuelling, maintenance and repair of aircraft; 
• The assembly and dispersal of passengers or goods on or  from an aircraft;
• Any ancillary activities directly serving the needs of passengers and visitors to the use;
•  Associated training and education facilities; and
• Aviation facilities.

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The following is from the  Planning Report   released on 7th December    recommending approval,   "Furthermore, the applicant has confirmed that the majority of the helicopters proposed to be stationed at this aviation facility are not proposed to be used for “joy flights”. The type of helicopters proposed are highly specialised multi-role helicopters and provide a range of services including aerial firefighting, heavy-lift and aerial crane, and reconnaissance missions. There is a direct linkage between the specialist nature of these helicopters, and the high cost of operation, the number of movements will generally be  lower than what would be expected from a tourism operation". 

The report claims the proposal is lower impact by excluding   tourism operations

Information now being circulated by the proponent  is  a direct contradiction of what  was in the DA claiming highly specialised craft will  not be used or stationed at the proposed facility. The following statement is being distributed by  Kestrel Aviation. 
3. Operational Purpose The primary use of the Mission Helicopters facility will be to conduct passenger transport operations from regional aviation hubs to support high-end tourism activities in the area. Helicopter island transfers are currently conducted to Bedarra and Dunk Island which are limited in capacity, and it is intended to offer to support those activities and other tourist opportunities to the islands and Great Barrier Reef.

Read info sheet

The Planners report also  claims agricultural activities can continue on the  lot as  the development  footprint is only 1.27% of the overall site. Yet the proponents plan shows approximately a third of the lot is allocated for  air services and the rest of the  lot designated for  future development.

(See detail right)

Detail

   A report commissioned by Mission Beach Cassowaries and C4, made available to the CCRC, confirms the development  will have a significant impact on the endangered cassowary. 

​Based on community expectation and the environmental report alone, the development should be refused. 
 At the very least, the CCRC decision  must be deferred until there has been:

• An independent noise impact study carried out; 
•  a specific and qualified expert report on the need for the facility, and 
• State and Federal Government assessments of the impacts on  matters of State Environmental Significance  (MSES) and  matters of  National    Environmental   Significance. (MNES)"
  

​                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Liz Gallie  - Mission Beach Cassowaries 
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For more information
Liz Gallie
​0414402315