Wollemi helicopter flights
jagu...@gmail.com
The email below, which is originally from the Capertee Valley
Environment Group, is probably of interest to a lot of Sydney based
bushwalkers. Basically there is a proposal for tourist helicopter
flights over the Wollemi. From personal experience in New Zealand where
such flights are commonplace in remote areas, the droning given off by
endless low flying choppers ruins any chance of enjoying the
'wilderness experience'. If you disagree with these flights being
approved, please think about sending letters to the people named in the
list.
Cheers,
Andrew
------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Birders,
and Bushwalkers
This email concerns anyone who has visited or plans to visit the
Capertee Valley (in the NSW Central Tablelands) and who values the
peace and tranquillity of the area. Most of you are already aware of
the valley's significance as habitat for a high diversity of woodland
birds and its importance as a birding area.
Last year I briefly mentioned that there is a proposal to build a
heliport at Capertee from which it is intended to operate regular
helicopter joy flights over the Capertee Valley and surrounding
escarpment areas.
The formal application has now been received by Lithgow Council so it
is now time for anyone concerned to make a submission.
In the application it is proposed that joy flights would operate from
7.00 am to 7.00 pm seven days per week, with peak activity on weekends
and holiday periods. There could be up to 20 flights (40 movements) per
day (280 movements per week, or approximately 2 per hour).
The flight path map indicates numerous loops within an approximate 50
km radius of the village of Capertee. The proposed flight paths loop
around Capertee Valley, Pantoney's Crown, Mt Genowlan, Capertee River,
Glen Davis, Wolgan Valley, Turon River, over the Gardens of Stone,
Wollemi National Park, Ben Bullen, Cullen Bullen, Cherry Tree Hill, Mt
Marsden, etc.
This area includes part of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage
Area and for this reason we believe that the matter should be dealt
with by the State and Commonwealth Governments rather than Lithgow
Council. In fact I have been informed that this is the only case in
Australia where a proposal for joyflights over World Heritage has been
considered to be only a local matter.
>From a birdwatcher's point of view, the noise and disruption from
regular helicopter flights would surely have a severe impact on our
enjoyment of birding in this wonderful area. Regulations state that
flights could be as low as 500 feet above the ground (and obviously
this doesn't include landing and taking off) - in the valley floor this
is well below the level of the surrounding cliffs. Most birders in
woodland or forest find a large proportion of the birds by sound, and I
know that when I'm birding, any loud noise such as an aircraft passing
over really affects my ability to detect birds and forces me to wait
until it subsides. This is not to mention the effect on our nerves and
sense of relaxation! What effect would such regular noise have on the
birds themselves? Personally I don't think anyone really knows the
answer to this. As the Capertee Valley is habitat to more than 14
species of threatened birds, surely the precautionary principle should
apply.
Contrary to claims made by the developer, I don't think this will
benefit the tourism industry in the area. To the contrary, it will have
a detrimental effect on the many birdwatching, bushwalking and other
nature-oriented tourists who already visit and have been doing so for
many years. These eco tourists already spend money locally on
accommodation, food, etc. and there is scope for this to increase if
the natural values and peaceful ambience of the area is maintained and
nurtured.
At the moment aircraft can and do fly over the Capertee Valley for the
purposes of essential work, emergencies, special events, etc. However I
and many residents believe that regular helicopter joy flights are a
different matter entirely, because of the frequency, regularity and
type of intrusion.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
If you are concerned by this proposal, please take the time to write a
short letter outlining your objections to Lithgow Council, postal
address:
The General Manager,
PO Box 19,
Lithgow, NSW 2790
Closing date for submissions is 24th March 2005.
Feel free to use what I've written above if you don't have time to
write your own letter. I suspect Lithgow Council are not fully aware of
the extent of the valley's significance to birds and birdwatchers so
letters from birdwatchers outside the area would help to draw their
attention to this.
For anyone in the area, the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is
available for viewing at Lithgow Council offices at 180 Mort Street,
Lithgow.
If you can, please also send letters to the following ministers:
Gerard Martin M.P.
Member for Bathurst
P.O. Box 712
BATHURST NSW 2795
Fax: (02) 6331 1566
Hon. Bob Debus M.P.
NSW Minister for the Environment
Shop 3, The Greenway Centre
107-109 Macquarie Street
SPRINGWOOD NSW 2777
Fax: (02) 4751 1245
Hon. Craig Knowles
Minister for Infrastructure and Planning
Level 33
Governor Macquarie Tower
1 Farrer Place
SYDNEY NSW 2000
Hon. SC Nori, M.P.
Minister for Tourism and Sport and Recreation
and Minister for Women
GPO Box 5341
SYDNEY NSW 2001
Fax: (02) 92283062
Please also consider joining the Capertee Valley Environment Group Inc.
Membership costs $10 and donations are also welcome. Contact Veronica
on phone (02) 63797200, or email ver...@pnc.com.au or you can send
your membership fee or donation directly to CVEG Inc. at Lot 2 Coorain
St, Glen Davis NSW 2846.
Thanks for reading this far. I'll keep you all up to date with what
transpires.
Carol Probets
Blue Mountains/Capertee Valley, NSW
If you haven't sent it yet, please quote "DA 22/05" so Council knows
what Development Application you are objecting to.
Closing date for submissions is March 24 - not 25th which is Good
Friday.
It has been suggested that, in addition to the addresses already given,
a letter could also be sent to:
Senator the Hon. Ian Campbell
Minister for the Environment and Heritage
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
GM
Who has ever been to Capertee? I think the joyflights would be very
short-lived - ie bankrupt very quickly
Cheers
Giles
David Springthorpe
>Who has ever been to Capertee? I think the joyflights would be very
>short-lived - ie bankrupt very quickly
>
>Cheers
>Giles
Please learn to "chop" your replies.....
DS
Peter Signorini
"GM" <hathi...@yahoo.com.au> wrote in message
news:4224...@news.rivernet.com.au...
>
> Who has ever been to Capertee? I think the joyflights would be very
> short-lived - ie bankrupt very quickly
Why?? IIRC Capertee is not far off the Mudgee Rd - isn't this a main
highway? And the joyflights will have all the scenic attractions of the
Wollemi, Capertee Valley, sandstone pagodas, even the Grose Valley and Blue
Mountains within range. I think this could be a big drawcard for those who
are too lazy to get out and walk to see it.
Write a letter to make sure it doesn't happen. I haven't been there
personally (except for the Blue Mountains), but hope to in future. I don't
know whether a letter from me in Victoria would be of any use (??)
Cheers
Peter