Posted 19/8/11
Supports the changes:
"As your local, friendly helicopter pilot may I put a bit of reason into your comment about HLS's? A planning permit requirement when there is a change to the land is not an issue, but why should our industry be hamstrung by the current restrictions brought in as a political spite by the Kirner Government? We need a healthy industry to survive, and pushing helicopters into airports destroys their flexibility and versatility.
We all expect the Air Ambulance to turn out for medical emergencies. We all expect the fire bombers to turn out to save our properties and our lives. We all expect the Police helicopter to protect us when called. We make no objection to them landing or operating.
Without a healthy helicopter industry, we will not have the pilots, engineers and experience to provide the emergency services. To allow one off helicopter landings in a suitable area is not an imposition: the criteria are already well covered in Federal legislation.
Please feel free to distribute this to others on the MRRA mailing list: I will stand by the proposal as it is reintroducing a proper balance to allow the helicopter industry to operate efficiently."
Opposes the changes:
Click here to see a letter which sets down objections to the changes, which can be used as the basis for submissions opposing the changes. These objections are wide-ranging