By Cameron Weston
HOBSONS Bay City Council has grounded a plan by Burbank Homes to operate a helicopter from its Altona business park by refusing a planning application.
The company had applied to land the helicopter in a car park at the business park, for a “maximum of five take-offs and five landings per week”.
The refusal notice said the proposal was contrary to the Hobsons Bay Planning Scheme, would disrupt car parking and was “contrary to the orderly planning of the area”.
The notice also said the helicopter would have a detrimental effect on local residents living as close as 150 metres to the proposed landing site.
It also noted that: “The proposal is likely to have a detrimental impact on migratory birds and their habitat.”
The council received many objections from residents and the community group Hobsons Bay Community First (HBCF) was involved in the campaign to stop the helipad going ahead.
HBCF convener Tony Briffa said residents in the area were “rapt” at the decision.
“We’re very relieved and grateful that the council has refused the application and we hope Burbank do not contest it at VCAT.
“But if that’s the case, HBCF and the residents will work together to fight it at VCAT.”
A Burbank Homes spokesman said the company would not comment until it received official notification from the council.
However, operations manager and helicopter pilot Jarrod Sanfillipo had previously indicated that the company would contest the matter if the planning permit was refused.
“We’ll take all measures possible to get this through because it is so valuable to us,” he said.
