Residents rally against Anna Bay helipad DA, say location 'not the right place'

Nelson Bay residents Max Stocker and Glennis Dart, who have each laid loved ones to rest in the cemetery in the past year, expressed anger and concern for the DA saying a helipad and its proposed 70 flights a day just meters from the cemetery was "disrespectful".

"Such an incredibly loud noise as helicopters taking off and landing could never be tolerated at such a sacred, quiet place," said Mr Stocker, who buried his wife of 51 years, Jenny, in the cemetery in May 2020.

"I could not imagine a celebrant being halfway through a service or a eulogy and having to stop because of a helicopter either taking off or landing."

The DA for 4136 Nelson Bay Road is seeking to establish an aircraft facility behind the Ampol service station and car wash to include four helipads, two helicopter hangars, an office, a dual occupancy and car parking.

According to the applicant Perception Planning, on behalf of Anna Bay Pty Ltd, the plan is to have up to four helicopters use the site for 35 departures and 35 arrivals a day between 7am and 7pm.

When contacted for comment on the community concerns a spokesperson for Anna Bay Pty Ltd told the Examiner: "We look forward to working with the council and any submission makers as part of the Development Application process".

Mrs Dart, who has most of her family buried in the cemetery including husband Warwick, who died in November 2020, said she is "sad, despondent and angry" with the DA.

The cemetery's boundary fence is directly opposite where Mr Dart is buried - about 100 meters from where the aircraft facility is proposed to be established.

"It's not the right place. There has to be more suitable sites than here. It's disrespectful. know that if my husband was alive he wouldn't be happy about being buried next to a helipad," she said.

Nigel Dique, a member of EcoNetwork Port Stephens and the Tomaree Residents and Ratepayers Association, said the DA had been discussed as a "major concern" at recent group meetings and that both were preparing to lodge submissions against the proposal with Port Stephens Council.

The DA is on exhibition through the council's website and is open to submissions until July 6.

"Interested residents can email the assessing officer to request extension to the time allowed to provide a submission. The exhibition period, however, will not be extended as that period is to be carried out in accordance with the relevant Act and regulation," a council spokesperson said.

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