Orange City Council faces two court actions in next two months

The heliport appeal by applicant Nessdee to expand the weekly number of take-offs and landings from seven to 90 went through four days of site inspections and hearings last month before it was adjourned for more acoustic testing.

Despite applicant Nessdee’s assurances no flights would land or take off between 10pm and 7am, surrounding residents objected and councillors unanimously refused the increase in October based on unacceptable noise and visual impacts.

Nessdee has proposed to add more helipads, to be used under different wind conditions – if approved, helicopters would approach the chosen helipad, then hover-taxi to the main helipad. 

The matter was listed for hearing in Sydney next week, but has been moved to three days in November to allow the council to assess the acoustic report. 

Planner and architect Belinda Scott, whose parents live across the Mitchell Highway from the development, asked to be listed alongside the council as a respondent. 

“I have that sense of social consciousness and I want to speak for the community,” she said. 

Helicruz owner Craig Murphy and Highland Heritage Estate owner Rex d’Aquino could not be reached for comment.

Meanwhile, Australia Childcare Solutions has successfully moved its appeal for a child care centre in Turner Crescent forward to October.

Councillors refused the development last month, also unanimously, due to traffic volumes in the residential street and safety.

A site inspection will be held on the first day, followed by a hearing in Sydney on the second day, and development services David Waddell said the court would hear from traffic and planning experts.

“It will be the same sort of thing [to the North Orange McDonald’s case] – can the court find a way to get traffic dealt with?” he said.

The applicant could not be reached for comment.