Caloundra airport & choppers

[johnm]

noise and Caloundra - issues all been heard before (probably no worse than a main highway)

 

there was something on the radio this morning (30.1.14) but missed it - helicopter training I think

 

...................... don't know much about Caloundra - anyway a rumble in the jungle

 

Choppers could buzz Caloundra 127 times a day in new plan

 

Comments (18) »

 

• Kathy Sundstrom
   
   
  
• 17th Oct 2012 5:43 AM
   
   
  
• Updated: 2:31 PM
   
   
  

 

 

Story Tools

 

• 
   
   
  

 

 

Use this content

 

Related Items

 

• » Council says no to urban sprawl as govt row looms
   
   
   
   
  
• » Neighbourly airport makes a move to cut down on noise
   
   
   
   
  

 

 

.articleImage.small { clear: both; width: 300px !important; float: left; } .articleImage.right { float: right; margin: 0 0 20px 20px !important; } .articleImage.large { width: 620px !important; }

 

 

bellhelicopter.com

 

THE drone of a helicopter 127 times a day, 330 days a year, could become a reality for residents living near Caloundra Aerodrome.

 

The council has released a draft master plan for the 145-ha site.

 

It includes increasing the size of the Queensland Air Museum, creating a new parking and viewing area, and boosting industry with a potential non-aviation commercial development.

 

But there is also the startling reality of noise.

 

The council predicts the number of air movements at the aerodrome will increase from 40,000 to a "medium estimate" of 84,000 by 2030.

 

Noise modelling assumptions estimate this could mean 254 movements a day, 330 flying days a year.

 

Half of these movements are expected to be helicopter operations and 80% of movements are circuits.

 

It is understood the sound level affecting many homes could be above 60 decibels, loud enough to interrupt a conversation.

 

Some residents could expect this to happen up to 20 times a day.

 

Little wonder Cr Tim Dwyer suggested last month Caloundra South be renamed the Caloundra Aerodrome Estate "so they can't complain they didn't know there was an aerodrome there".

 

"This development was strenuously objected to by the council.

 

"However approval was subsequently granted by the Queensland Government in 2011," the draft master plan reads.

 

The council proposes to develop a helipad at the aerodrome within five years.

 

The council document says the increased helicopter training activity "presents additional challenges for residents of the recently approved development of Bells Reach".

 

"Residents of this development will be seriously impacted by current and future aircraft noise," it warns.

 

Bellvista Community Association president Les Thomas was unaware of plans to increase helicopter movements.

 

He said the council would face a backlash from 50,000 residents if it allowed significant increases.

 

Divisional Councillor Rick Baberowski said he would not support increasing helicopter movements to such an extent.

 

The draft can be viewed online at www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au or at council offices or libraries.

 

MODELLING ASSUMPTIONS

 

• 84,000 aircraft movements per year
   
   
   
   
  
• Helicopter operations are 50% of all movements by 2030
   
   
   
   
  
• 330 flying days per year
   
   
   
   
  
• 254 movements per day
   
   
   
   
  
• 80% of movements are circuits
   
   
   
   
  

 

 

 

[webbm]

Caloundra Aerodrome Draft Master Plan

 

http://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/sitePage.cfm?code=cal-areo-draft-mp

 

 

[mnewbery]

Good. No mention of a new simulator there then?

 

 

[shafs64]

I fly out of caloundra and I notice that the houses are close to the runway. So its hard not to fly over them at full power when climbing.

 

 

[dazza 38]

I flew at Caloundra in 1998, back then houses were nowhere near the south of the airport. Now there is house relatively close. All I can say is BAD LUCK to the peeps who bought those houses and want to have a whinge about aircraft noise. The airport was there long before the housing development.

 

 

[turboplanner]

More facts are needed. Airfield movements including helicopters have been declining in many areas since the 1980's.

 

There would gave to be a known commercial operation (such as a major mine, which also could provide accurate traffic projections for this to be anything other than kite flying. The rest of the matter depends on what is in the local planning scheme, and how professional the Airfield's owners are (Many give away their rights)

 

 

[mnewbery]

Please read the article below regarding Caloundra Council and the SCRC.

 

http://www.aviationadvertiser.com.au/news/2010/05/educating-the-decision-makers/

 

...then follow the money