Request for community cooperation during noise trials

 As per the September 3 court order,      Mission Helicopters will be carrying out a set of helicopter movements to and from 2224 Tully Mission Beach Road this week as part of a noise level trial.   The date and times of the trial depend on the availability of the  monitoring  company  and are unknown  at the time of this publication.

 C4   advised  that noise levels  will be recorded of the aircraft   described  in Mission Helicopter's   Development Application    (DA) i e  the   large medium lift  helicopters Sikorsky S-76,   Bell 412, and  Bell 206L3 (below)   .

Bell 206

Sikorsky S76

Bell 402

The process for the trial has been determined by helicopter and noise experts as   agreed by both parties   and will be monitored by two  independent noise-recording experts.
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The data from the recordings will then be analysed for use by the  expert witnesses   in the upcoming Planning and Environment Court case.

 Recordings will be taken during take off, landing   and to and from  the proposed development site following the approved flight path; although  there has always been  some confusion over which is the correct flight path  given condition 7 of the   CCRC approval document   differs significantly from the  Approach/Departure Waypoint Flight Plan  provided by Mission Helicopters.  

 The  CCRC Planners    report  presented at the CCRC General meeting 21 Jan  2021 (Page 256)   stated     3 helicopters could be   in use at any one time. None of the approval conditions limit the number of helicopters.  Fully representative  trials would need to take this into account.   ​

 Community  people (sic) have been asked to cooperate with the trial process so the best information can be gathered for  the  legal proceedings.   In the public interest, C4 has requested people  to    monitor noise levels from their homes so they can determine what the likely effects of proposed helicopter movements might have on them.

Given the impact would also be felt   by those enjoying the beach or using the bike path,  these are other places the community could  gain  an insight into the selected activities of the trial. The map, above right, shows the supposed impact zone of both flight path scenarios.

It is stressed  that  noises other than  those of the helicopters can negate the results of the tests so those interested in being present while the trials are being carried out are asked to please observe quietly.

The community could rightfully ask why the burden of proof is  on the objectors to demonstrate noise nuisance?

Why wasn't  Mission Helicopters  required to  lodge a   report  with the DA to   show that the noise he intended making was below acceptable limits?

We will keep you informed as soon as we have any further information on the trial date. 

LG
MBC

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