With respect...

 The community is  understandably   anxious  that  a helicopter base in the heart of Mission Beach might be a 'done deal' given  all the activity on the approved development site lately.

But that is NOT the case!

While the appellants of the  court appeal against the   helicopter development  approval   are playing their cards close to their chest,  the  co respondent is going for a different tactic.

In stark contrast to the low  profile  C4 has opted for,  Mission Helicopters  (MH)   has  been rolling out  an aggressive   advertising campaign  promoting  scenic tours       on their    facebook page.      Their new business is described as  a    boutique aviation services company "...offering a range of tourism and aerial solution services from its base in Mission Beach in Far North Queensland."

 You could be forgiven  for thinking  this new business  is already operating from 2224 Tully Mission Beach Road    with their facebook announcing   Mission Helicopters    is in   Mission Beach.  The  almost daily posts  feature aerial videos  of farmland, Mission Beach coastline and the offshore islands  with slogans promising   'Let the adventure begin'!    ​

Mission Helicopters promote helicopter scenic tours over Mission Beach

A     fence has now been erected around the proposed site  and a new "Your Mission Starts Here" sign  installed   announcing  helicopter tours.   

​What is the purpose of this overt  promotion  of helicopter services  while the appeal is still in the court?    Is this a show of contempt for the community who oppose  the development or is it just plain insensitivity?

 When the Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning, Dr Steven Miles declined the community's request to   use his  'call in' powers to reassess the development, he said  "the Planning and Environment Court  is the appropriate forum to examine any  issues relating to the technical  assessment of this application". The community must  accept  and respect  this current legal process for development assessments.

The Hon Dr Steven Miles correspondence to MBC 31 March 2021

Respect for process doesn't appear to be a priority for Mission Helicopters.  Apparently the large advertising sign went up without a permit. 

The   Council has given the landowner 20 business days from 28 September 2021 to either lodge the appropriate development application (a code assessable operational works application for an advertising device) or remove the sign.​

​​The Mission Beach community has made it  very clear   they do not want noisy, or  nosy,   helicopters to be   a regular feature of their peaceful lifestyle.  With respect  for  due process,  they  will wait with anticipation for a successful outcome of the court appeal.

LG
​MBC

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 The current appeal situation
Proposed helicopter flight trial
1.  On or before 7 October 2021, the acoustic experts will meet to determine the terms of reference, minimum requirements, methodology and reporting for the proposed helicopter flight trial [“agreed approach”]. 
2.       On or before 29 October 2021, the proposed helicopter flight trial will occur pursuant to the agreed approach.
3.      On or before 22 November 2021, the data obtained from the proposed helicopter flight trial will be analysed pursuant to the agreed approach and the acoustic experts will provide to the parties’ solicitors a copy of their reporting pursuant to the agreed approach. 
Review
4.      The appeal will be reviewed on 3 December 2021.