Council restricts use of Teewah Airstrip

Relief is in sight for noise-affected residents living near the Teewah Airstrip as Noosa Council agreed to restrict the use of the airstrip at its inaugural council meeting today.

Noosa Councillor Tony Wellington said council's decision to prohibit the use of private and commercial helicopters (apart from emergency landings) at the site at Noosa North Shore will be a relief to the many residents who have been living with unregulated helicopter noise for the past couple of years.

"Council's decision today will prohibit the use of helicopters, but allow the continued use of model aircraft, ultralights and hang gliders," Cr Wellington said.

"The escalated use of the Teewah Airstrip by helicopters has been a cause of ongoing concern to residents and businesses in the area."

"Over the past couple of years use of the airstrip for helicopter training has escalated significantly, with the site being used on a daily basis. Helicopters cross the Noosa region to access Teewah Airstrip throughout the day and well into the evening.

"This has resulted in a significant number of complaints to the Airport Authority, council, CASA and the State Government, with local MP Glen Elmes' office saying this issue received the most number of complaints to his office," Cr Wellington said.

Along with restricting use of the site, council today also authorised the Mayor and CEO to make representations to the appropriate authorities to have the Cooloola section of the Great Sandy National Park and surrounding and adjacent residential areas declared as restricted airspace.

The helicopter operations adversely affect the amenity of residents and the large numbers of tourists to this iconic destination. The 2005 Management Plan for the National Park also noted that such activities could disturb and endanger wildlife.

The Teewah Airstrip (formally known as the Noosa North Shore Landing Ground Reserve) is owned by the State Government with Noosa Council acting as trustee. It is embedded inside the Cooloola section of the Great Sandy National Park.

In 1992, State Government approved the site as National Park on the proviso that the areas required for ‘emergency landings or ultra light purposes' were retained. The recommendation did not allow for helicopter pilot training or other commercial uses.

2 January 2014