Emails Exchanged Over MP's Submission On Caloundra South Development

The following are excerpts from emails between a Bellvista resident and local MP Mark McArdle regarding the MP's submission on Caloundra South to the ULDA on the Caloundra South Development. You can read the Mark's submission HERE

Some editing has occurred in the text below but the resident's email retains the essence of the content of the original.

Dear Mark,

The comments below are my personal comments and relate to Section 3 of your submission relating to Caloundra Airport.

The greatest concern for residents on the estate (in my opinion) is the behaviour of helicopters especially those from the training school (Chopperline). Chopperline appears to have a complete disregard for Caloundra residents when they do their frequent repetitive training circuits. This was highlighted when a complaint was lodged on helicopter activity over the Bellvista estate at 7:10 am on Good Friday. Chopperline acknowledged they were conducting flights at that time over the estate and issued an apology for upsetting residents (not for their actions).

They fly under the "Fly Neighbourly" agreement which is a series of recommendations, many of which trainee pilots (so we are told) are not able to adhere to.

I recall meeting with you onsite regarding a possible location for a school drop off stop on Bellvista Blvd and we were 'buzzed' by a Chopperline helicopter. You questioned why can't those helicopters do their circuits further to the south over non populated areas? My answer to you at that time was to remark on a comment Sunshine Coast Airport CEO Peter Pallot had made when I asked him the same question. That was, "It is easier said than done". Therefore I was interested to read in your ULDA submission that aircraft, including helicopters from Caloundra Aerodrome will take off, land or use for training purposes seems to contradict what you said to me on or about March 28th.

At a recent Airport Forum Meeting Cr Tim Dwyer denounced the behaviour of 'cowboy' helicopter pilots over Caloundra. To fly training circuits on Good Friday over a residential area at 7:10 am is not the behaviour of a 'cowboy' pilot but that of a 'cowboy' company with total and complete disregard for the general community. A company such as Chopperline seems to believe the whole purpose of the city of Caloundra is for them to have a helicopter training company and not that Caloundra is primarily a rapidly developing residential area.

I notice that the major area of complaints regarding Caloundra Airport are from Caloundra residents regarding the behaviour of helicopters from the Training School over their homes. But that is only when you can get a complaint registered. Some Bellvista residents have reported they rang to lodge a complaint and were directed to an 1800 number or their call was answered and they were asked to 'hold'. After 'holding' for some time they were forced to hang up.

I believe that if the Airport is to stay, any new leases should be limited to 'community friendly' industries. It is rumored that some industries are being asked to relocate from Sunshine Coast airport. Any 'slack' left by the non renewal of a lease to any non community friendly industry could be easily catered for.

If I were a manager and had a contracted staff member or agency which was the cause of many complaints and dragged my business down then the solution would be simple, I would not renew the contract. I would contract a replacement person or agency who would project the company in good light.

It therefore seems to me if you have one company at an airport which is the major source of complaints from residents in a predominately residential area and is therefore not performing, then that company should not have its lease ("contract") renewed. It also stands to reason that if Chopperline ceased its Caloundra Airport operations then the number of complaints regarding the airport would all but 'disappear'.

The situation for Caloundra Airport has changed. Caloundra is no longer a small sleepy holiday resort for Brisbaneites. It is becoming a rapidly developing residential area and is to become a major Queensland area for residential development. As Caloundra changes then so too must the purpose of Caloundra Airport. It must become more "Community Friendly"and therefore cater for community friendly industries. The development of a Community Friendly Policy for Caloundra Airport would help to cement the future of the airport.

As more housing developments around Caloundra are developed, pressure on the airport over inappropriate pilot behaviour from disgruntled communities will increase and place more pressure on the Airport and it future. If the Airport is to have a viable longtime future it must be more considerate and encompass the reasonable needs of the communities which surround it, both current and future.

New leases or renewal of leases for Airport Industries must be subject to being "Community Friendly".

I expect the views I have outlined in this communication would be supported by many residents here on the Bellvista Estate.

Can I further add another concern I have regarding Bellvista2. By having one major intersection (Stornaway Ave/Bellvista Blvd) catering for the vast majority of the new Bellvista2 area, a bottleneck could be created especially at School drop off and pick up times. Residents purchasing in Stage 6 of Bellvista 2 will have to drive 'around' the school and use the Bellvista Blvd/Stornaway Ave roundabout and drive by the front of Unity College to access Bellvista Market Place Shopping area. This will become a major driving feat around school drop off and pick up time. An alternative access connecting with Barrine Cres or Grampion Way with proposed Stages 5 & 6 should be considered to allow easier access to the shopping centre.

Yours faithfully,

To which Local MP Mark McArdle replied.

I agree with your comments re the airport and the need to reign in the cowboys on the site. That is an issue we must take up with the Council.

My suggestion to the ULDA was aimed at reducing the further risk of more problems arising. I still have very real concerns about the flight paths over Bellvista and I want to get a longterm solution.

I will be in contact.

Regards Mark McArdle MP.