According to the council development application tracker, the proposal at 4136 Nelson Bay Road (the site leased by the Ampol service station and car wash), also comprises a dual occupancy development, two office buildings, carparking and civil works.

The land is zoned RU2 Rural Landscape.

According to the applicant Perception Planning, on behalf of the property owner, the plan is to have up to four helicopters utilising the site, up to 70 times a day, with 35 departures and 35 arrivals.

It is expected that there are no proposed flights from 7pm to 7am.

The proposed helipad location is to the south of the existing service station and carwash.

Noise impacts have been calculated for residents at a distance of approximately 230m from the nearest point of the proposed approach and departure paths.

The Environment Impact Statement prepared by Perception Planning says that the proposed development aims to compliment the private business operations of Soldiers Point and Nelson Bay Marinas, and associated members, guests and staff.

"Upon arrival at either marina, members or guests will be escorted to the helipad site and taken on flights throughout the Port Stephens and Hunter Valley region for tourism, business or recreational purposes," the EIS report states.

"It is understood that a 'heliport' is a prohibited land use within the zone, which incorporates 'public' use within the definition, A helipad is a place used for the taking off and landing of helicopters as detailed in the definition, not 'open to the public'."

The applicant is required to consult with relevant local, state and commonwealth government authorities and bodies, plus surrounding landowners and occupiers likely to be impacted by the proposal.

"Approximately 218 square metres of native vegetation would be cleared as part of the proposed development," the report states.

"The flora and fauna study found that a total of 65 threatened matters had previously been recorded or are modelled to occur within a 5km radius of the development area."

The impact assessments concluded that the proposal was unlikely to have a significant impact on any locally occurring ecological communities, threatened flora, fauna or migratory species due to the small area of impact and managed nature of vegetation/habitats.

A council spokesperson said that the documents would be available on the online DA Tracker during the exhibition period from June 8 to July 6, 2021.

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