We have  composed a draft  letter for you to send to the  Federal Environment Department asking them to remind the heliport proponent,  Ray Cronin of Mission Helicopters,  of his obligation to refer any development that is likely to have a significant impact on a matter of National Environmental Significance,  to be assessed under the EPBC Act 

 Download the  document below.
​​Please read  the document and write  a letter in your own words    using any of the points  in our draft.

In Oct 2017   the   50th Anniversary of the saving of   Ellison Reef from lime mining was celebrated at Ninney Rise'. Guest speaker, Prof  Bob Pressey  of   ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies - JCU Townsville,   began his address,   titled  'Death by a thousand cuts' with,   "The development assessment process is broken, it's been broken for a long time and it is kept broken deliberately."

With the approval of   a heliport allowing  three medium lift helicopters to operate early morning to late afternoon, 7 days a week,  in a tourism destination known for its quiet and peaceful amenity, the community  has  become painfully aware public interest is not at the forefront of  council decision making.

Not just about Mission Beach - a Cassowary Coast issue
​Council decisions  bely the  rhetoric reinforced in   their own policies, strategies and plans. Following is  from  the CCRC Corporate Plan . (below right)

The lack of Federal and State Government oversight has resulted in Planner’s reports being produced using shallow reasoning, blatantly justifying support for developments despite conflicts with local and State planning. When Planning department recommendations or councillor decisions are questioned, the public are informed they have the right of appeal. The council’s “ If you don’t like it, take us to court” attitude treats public interest with contempt.

If the communities of the Cassowary Coast thought  they could go back to  some 'normality' after  a resounding rejection of  a  council that ruled in secrecy with  a bias embracing  speculators and developers ahead of the public interest,  the heliport decision has   given a sobering reminder that  is not the case.    A culture  was introduced  with the former council that remains entrenched  in the  operations of the so called  democratic process of our present council.

Feel secure    and watch this space. There is a heliport,  or something equally  as inappropriate or shocking,  coming to a place near you soon!​

Liz Gallie
Mission Beach Cassowaries  Inc
​0414 402 315

We have just set up a Go Fund Me account to  raise funds for an appeal
Please send/share this  throughout your networks.

 A   community meeting was held at C4 on Saturday 23rd January to discuss  options   following the disappointing decision  of the Council to approve  the contentious helipad development.

​Ex Cassowary Coast Regional Council Mayor, Bill Shannon, attended the meeting and was able to answer questions and clarify points  brought up during the meeting.       Bill was reminded that his council  denied    an application in 2008 lodged by the then existing  Raw Materials  owner to expand the business.    Bill agreed the application for an expansion of the business  was refused on the grounds it was  inconsistent with the intent of the planning scheme  as was  the helipad,  commenting further, "It should not have been approved".  

Where was the “robust assessment process” boasted by the Mayor? It certainly wasn’t evident at the General Meeting (21st January).

Where was the tabling, report or even discussion about the properly made and lodged petition carrying 650 signatures against the contentious proposal to place  an intrusive development  on good agricultural land that  threatens to destroy the peace and quiet  amenity of local residents?   Are these affected residents of no account to this Council? 

Where was the discussion about the content of hundreds of emails  councillors received from  local, regional and   national   people outlining their concerns?
​
A development that obviously hits at the heart of  the community and will have a major impact on the future of Mission Beach,  took   just  fourteen and a half  minutes  for the councillors to cast a vote in favour.   (see meeting video below)

• There have  been no studies  to prove   a heliport  placed in the centre of  a comparatively    small high biodiversity area connecting two World Heritage Areas  at   the heart of Mission Beach, is low impact.  
• There has been no reports showing any economic benefits to Mission Beach or the shire.  
• There has been no report of    the noise  impact on  residents within the  impact zone,    of medium lift helicopters allowed to  operate  from 7am to 6pm  5 days a week and 8am to 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays.  
• There has   been no report to show  the development will have  a low impact on cassowaries.

The council decision to approve the   amenity destroying  helicopter  project  has thrown many residents of Mission Beach into despair and a state of  anxiety.  Those who have chosen to live here have long responded to government planning processes to protect our natural environment and our village lifestyle. 

 The community now question how much  this council considers the  best interests of the public.  Most of the  councillors have demonstrated they have no  understanding of the fundamental importance of the intrinsic values of our shire to the health of our community, environment and economy.

This is not just a Mission Beach issue. The CCRC  is making decisions for the whole of the shire  using the same 'logic' and  decision making process.   A large part of that is carried out behind closed doors at pre meeting 'Councillor Information Sessions'. 

More information on  what actions  the community can  take to help, including  letter writing and fund raising for an appeal  will be distributed  soon. ​

Planners report starts at 136:00 Council 'discussion' starts at 144:40

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 Baines, who holds the CCRC environment portfolio, made no comments during the  debate and voted  to approve the development.
​
 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. 
​
See below the  live streamed meeting.

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

​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.
​
​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.

​
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

   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 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For more information
Liz Gallie
​0414402315