Proposed helipad meeting at Anna Bay this Sunday

Josie and Mick Bradley, of Nelson Bay, say they would be devastated if the development application for a $2.2 million helicopter facility with four helipads, two hangars and up to 70 movements a day was approved on Nelson Bay Road, a short distance from the cemetery where their daughter is buried.

With the vast majority of the 80-plus submissions lodged on the Port Stephens Council DA Tracker opposed to the development, the proponent has responded to concerns in a Social Impact Assessment (SIA).

One concession from the developer is to reduce the number of helicopter movements from 70 to 65 a day.

The SIA concludes that a measure to mitigate the impact from the helipad during services includes facilitating a Joint Planning Agreement with the council.

"This would restrict helicopters from taking off, landing or flying in the vicinity of the cemetery during graveside services," the proponent stated.

"This would include the provision of a service schedule to the proprietor on a weekly basis to facilitate operations of the proposal.

"It is also proposed that the number of flight movements per week can be reduced if required by council. The current proposal is based on 350 movements per week. If required, we propose this number be reduced by 20 per cent to 280 movements per week with a maximum of 65 movements per day."

The Bradleys say that the noise from a helicopter would shatter the peace and tranquillity of the place. "I visit my daughter's grave every second day and I just could not imagine having to put up with the noise and dust," Mrs Bradley said.

The Bradleys will join with Nelson Bay's Peter Sherriff and Max Stocker - both of whom also have loved ones buried in the cemetery - in a public meeting to be held at the Anna Bay Cemetery on Sunday, January 23, from 10.30am.

"The meeting will provide people who have loved ones in the cemetery and don't have access to, or have difficulty navigating, council's website with information on what is being proposed," said Mr Sherriff, a former chair of the Anna Bay Cemetery Committee.

"Personally, I object to the noise emanating from up to 70 helicopter movements a day and shattering the cemetery's tranquillity and serenity.

"There have been a number of people who have worked very hard over many years to turn this land into a place of beauty with its treelines and well maintained gravesites where people can pay their respects to the departed in peace."

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Mr Stocker is equally outraged over the proposal.

"When I laid my wife of 52 years to rest at this modern garden of remembrance 14 months ago, I knew nothing of this proposal otherwise it would have been out of the question. These sacred grounds mean so much to so many people. Helicopters of this size would make the ground shake and blow up the sandy loam foundation," he said.

The Department of Defence (DoD) has also strongly objected to the proposal. A submission on the DA Tracker says that the "helipad is proposed to be located within RAAF Base Williamtown Restricted Airspace area".

"This restricted airspace is a high traffic area and Air Traffic Control would be unable to safely manage the proposed volume of helicopters due to terrain shielding at the location resulting in poor radar and communications," the submission states.

In response, the proponent said that consultation with DoD had not occurred as part of Further Information Request.

"Given timing of discussions regarding air control is more akin to operation and responsibilities of the helicopter pilots. It is the responsibility of pilots to maintain communication with DoD and have an associated agreement in place for the number of flights proposed on a daily or monthly basis. It is proposed that this agreement be in place prior to operation and is reviewed on a monthly basis by the operators of the helipad."

The full list of submissions can be found at datracker.portstephens.nsw.gov.au (DA 16-2021-387-1). Submissions are due by January 26, to be sent to council@portstephens.nsw.gov.au.