A 64 square metre helipad slated for ‘recreational use’ was planned for the rear of 900 Humffray Street South, behind Ballarat Construction Management.

Councillors voted to refuse a planning application 7-2 on February 21, stating the proposal was not compatible with nearby residential uses. Cr Grant Tillett and Cr Ben Taylor voted against the denial.

VCAT confirmed that an application against Ballarat City Council was made on April 4, under section 77 of the Planning and Environment Act, which allows applicants to send the decision to Tribunal for review after refusal to grant a permit. 

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Redan resident Peter Lambert said locals were against the proposal due to safety concerns, potential impacts to amenity and fears that vulnerable wildlife could be killed.

“Over the years there’s been a huge community group that’s gone to great lengths to improve the quality of the environment along the Yarrowee River, through tree plantings and removal of rubbish,” he said. 

“Whilst it might just be a small pocket of people in Redan directly affected this time round … it could happen basically anywhere in Ballarat, so for us it’s important with this one we knock it on the head.”

The case is scheduled for a VCAT hearing on October 1. 

Ballarat Construction Management director and applicant David Moyle was contacted by The Courier, but declined to comment.

Mr Moyle told the February 21 council meeting that the proposal “meets and exceeds EPA guidelines” around noise management, with a “household blender or motorbike” louder than the helicopter proposed.

The block is classified as industrial zone three and is more than 150 metres away from the nearest residence, the minimum distance required by the Environment Protection Authority.