Open Letter to Mr Ray Cronin, Director Mission Helicopters

​​​ 8/08/2022
​From: Mission Beach ‘No Helicopters Here’ campaign supporters
To: Mission Helicopters

​Dear Mr Cronin,
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​We refer to your business Mission Helicopters Air Services currently proposed and approved for 2224 Tully Mission Beach Road.   We ask you to change its location to one where it cannot disrupt and disturb Mission Beach residents and wildlife.

Helicopter noise is extremely loud, unpleasant and intrusive

Residents of Mission Beach have already suffered serious disharmony as a result of the approval for your development.​

 There is strong community objection to any type of helicopter facility being located in the heart of town at 2224 Tully Mission Beach Road.

​The noise trials have reinforced to residents in the vicinity of your proposed development how disruptive and intrusive this development would be.

​The ‘compromise deal’ brokered to avoid a court hearing against the facility does not represent the community that campaigned against the development.

​Mission Beach has built a reputation as a nature-based tourism destination set within the Wet Tropics and Great Barrier Reef World Heritage environments. Residents and visitors are attracted to experience the low-key village atmosphere, peace and quiet, and to be immersed in nature; with the best chance of seeing a cassowary in the wild.  ​ These qualities underpin our community ‘sense of identity’ reinforced over decades of consistent messaging during community feedback for projects affecting amenity, character and the natural environment.
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​The community has no objection to an appropriately located helicopter service near Mission Beach - but not on your chosen site, where it is adjacent to the wilderness reserve between two villages.

​Your proposed three-storey industrial hanger complex will comprise a jarring interruption along the scenic route into town, along with the risk of encountering the peace shattering sound of low-level helicopter use. ​
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Even if there were a strong case for a rescue helicopter to be based at Mission Beach, it should only be located well away from residential areas and cassowary corridors.

• Strong community objection to helicopter facility at 2224 Tully Mission Beach

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• No objection to   helicopter  service appropriately located    well away from residential areas and cassowary corridors.

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• Proposal has  caused social division,  ongoing anxiety and stress within  community.

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• Request  to change its location  where it cannot disrupt and disturb Mission Beach residents and wildlife.

Helicopter noise is extremely loud, unpleasant and intrusive. The recent increase in helicopters flying over Mission Beach and along the shoreline has shown just how disruptive and upsetting the noise can be to residents and shorebirds.

Local residents who value the natural context of Mission Beach and its village amenity know that a helicopter service in the heart of our villages can only have an unacceptable impact on the overall amenity of Mission Beach.

Your proposed helicopter aerodrome has already caused social division and continues to cause ongoing anxiety and stress within our community.
 
The No Helicopters Here campaign supporters respectfully appeal to you, Mr Cronin:

We ask you to locate your business to a place where it cannot disturb and disrupt Mission Beach residents, our peaceful residential lifestyle, and our sensitive and important wildlife.

Mission Beach ‘No Helicopters Here’ campaign supporters
nohelicoptershere@gmail.com
www.nohelicoptershere.com

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Open Letter - Mr Ray Cronin, director Mission Helicopters