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Zoo decision on helipad sparks local protests |
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Written by Administrator
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Thursday, 21 April 2005 |
Australia Zoo has opted to veto Caloundra City Council and go direct to the Planning and Environment Court in its bid to build a helipad at its Beerwah property, angering local residents and escalating a conflict which began last year.
Residents opposing the helipad believe this is a sneaky move by Steve Irwin and Australia Zoo, because it has effectively gagged the Council on the issue.
And ever since the Zoo ducked the planned debate on April 14, when Council planned to discuss the Zoo?s initiative to begin joy flights out of the Beerwah-based zoo, the protest has gathered momentum.
And demonstrators really amassed in force outside the Zoo on Sunday April 17. Over 200 individuals showed up armed with placards in defiance of Australia Zoo?s plan, which they believe will bring unacceptable levels of noise pollution to Beerwah?s community.
?You don?t go to planing courts unless you are really hard-headed and they want it, do or die,? said Peter Hodge, a spokesman for the Glass House Guardians, an informal group of citizens united to combat the helipad proposal. ?The bottom line for Steve Irwin is that zoos don?t need airports, and airports never operate zoos. If he is such a good neighbour then I call on him to withdraw this preposterous application.?
A deadline for a decision by Council was not met on April 11, but according to the protestors, CCC had reached a gentleman?s agreement with the Zoo for an extension of time, so that Council could debate the application before the public at the April 14 meeting.
About 100 interested parties had turned up in the public gallery for the scheduled debate, but once they realised Council could no longer vote on the proposal they became disgruntled and the rally was subsequently staged. The Glasshouse Guardians said the rally showed that the community will back Council in the Silverback Properties v CCC case when it comes before the Planning and Environmental Court.
And CCC has already stated it would defend its position against a court appeal by Silverback, over a deemed refusal of their application for a heliport and joy flights at Australia Zoo.
?Council is disappointed that this week they chose to instead lodge an appeal with the Planning and Environment Court,?? CCC Mayor Aldous said in a statement. ?Should this appeal proceed, Council will certainly defend its position against it.?
Cr Aldous confirmed in the press release that a very large number of local residents had expressed concern over the application for helicopter flights based at Australia Zoo. And what some of those residents really fear is that the zoo?s agenda is more far reaching than a few tourist flights associated with the attraction.
?The applicant has asked for the heliport to support six tourist flights per hour,? said Mr Hodge. ?But by implication approval for a heliport will allow for an unlimited number of flights per hour.? He believes that the Zoo?s agenda is designed to cater for other helicopter operators and perhaps its own aircraft flying passengers in from the Brisbane tourist ship facility, Brisbane airport and other tourist resorts on the Sunshine and God Coast.
?These combined activities will greatly increase the overlay of air traffic in the Pumicestone Passage and the Glasshouse Mountains region,? said Mr Hodge. ?Approval for this site could encourage other operators to apply for similar facilities.?
A press release from CPR Group, the public relations company representing the Zoo, maintained that no tourists flights would be conducted over peoples homes and that the approach to the pad would be a southerly one over deserted forest land. ?The proposed Australia Zoo helicopter service is needed for the rescue of injured wildlife, fire spotting, fire fighting and reporting stolen cars,? said CPR managing director Suselie Connely. ?It will be on call for emergencies and traffic accidents.?
CPR also stressed that only three 20 minute flights would be conducted per hour, with fare paying passengers funding the flight operations.
CAPTION: Protestors outside Australia Zoo (Picture: Glen Cameron)
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 21 April 2005 )
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Range News 2005 - ON 
