An application for a Material Change of Use (MCU) has been lodged with Council seeking an approval to conduct helicopter take-offs and landings from a vacant residential allotment located at 6 Woongarra Scenic Drive, Bargara (southern side of the Money’s Creek Causeway) and for the storage of the aircraft at adjacent No. 2 WSD.
- Robinson R22 Helicopter similar to the subject aircraft
Due to the location and surrounding amenity of the subject site, the proposal has created considerable interest within the local community with much of that feedback was presented to the applicant at a pre-lodgement meeting late last year.
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A formal application has now been submitted and public notification commenced. Submissions from the public in favour or against the application should be lodged by 10th March 2015 and addressed to:
The Chief Executive Officer
Bundaberg Regional Council
PO Box 3130,
Bundaberg Qld 4670
The following is a Summary of the report accompanying the application together with a link to the full report……
SUMMARY
This planning assessment report addresses the planning instruments relevant to the following development application—
Address of site 2 & 6 Woongarra Scenic Drive, Bargara
Real Property Description Lot 51 on RP7266 & Lot 54 on SP182550
Type of approval sought Development Permit
Development Storage and operation of Robinson R22 helicopter ancillary to residential use of premises
Level of Assessment Impact
Bundaberg Regional Council issued a notice – “Alleged unlawful Use of Premises – Helicopter Pad” by letter to the applicants dated 3 November 2014 (refer Appendix 1).
Council has issued the notice on the basis that the use is assessable development under the Burnett Shire Planning Scheme 2006 as an undefined use in that the activity is not incidential or ancillary to the residential use of the premises.
The applicant ceased the use and convened a meeting with Council officers and Cr Barnes on 11 November. (refer Appendix 2).
Council’s assessment that the use is assessable development is disputed. However, the applicant makes this application in order to enable Council to issue a Development Permit to formalise the use and avoid further compliance action.
The proposed use is determined to be of minor scale and impact, being controlled by strict use parameters. Impacts are determined by the site’s unique location which allows it to occur as an ancillary use to the residential occupation of the premises.
The application has the support of all adjoining neighbours as evidenced by letters included in Appendix 3.
This report concludes that there are sufficient grounds to support this proposal against the provisions of the Burnett Shire Planning Scheme 2006.
It is the applicant’s intention prior to the matter being considered by Council, to demonstrate the use to Councilors and staff by showing video of the warm up and takeoff of the helicopter from the site.
The full report can be accessed here:- Development Application for Storage & Use of Robinson R22 Helicopter from 2 Woongarra Scenic Drive, Bargara