Gripping vote sees Nautilus Aviation's highly contentious DA gain approval for Port St
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Nautilus Aviation will have future waterside digs after their development application to offer scenic flights from a proposed Port St location got the majority vote at the latest Douglas Ordinary meeting.
In a gripping vote it remained unclear which way the final result would go, however, in the end the recommendation that “Council approves the development application for Material change of use for air services and caretakers accommodation” got the nod 3-1.
With mayor Michael Kerr not part of the final decision having declared a conflict of interest it was left to the votes of Councillors Abigail Noli, Lisa Scomazzon, Roy Zammataro and Peter McKeown to determine the outcome of the highly contentious DA.
Included in Morris Aviation Australia’s now approved DA at 23-33 and 35-39 Port street is its plans to establish a new base which will include two landing pads, refuelling infrastructure, hangers, an office, a reception area and caretakers’ accommodation.
Nautilus Aviation sought its new location having noted their current launch points next to Port Douglas cemetery and another next to the highway at Killaloe “present constraints for business efficiency”.
The newly approved site will allow Nautilus “with the necessary infrastructure to operate flights and service the local tourism market”.
“This was not easy and I did a lot of my own research with a sound engineer to really gain an understanding of the DA,” Cr Peter McKeown told Newsport at Council chambers after the final vote.
“There were a lot of people objecting to it (across the Shire) but the information that was provided by them and the information that I (eventually) obtained said there will not be an effect (e.g. excessive noise) like they believe.
“I’m confident the right decision was made.”
A fellow Councillor also felt content with her decision.
“Ultimately the findings of both the Nautilus and (Council) staff led acoustic reports left me feeling satisfied that excessive noise wouldn’t be an ongoing factor,” Cr Abigail Noli explained.
“Therefore, I was happy to vote yes. I was also satisfied that all environmental factors had been addressed within the DA.”
Cr Scomazzon, meantime, said she was on the fence until seconds before her final vote.
“I feel Councillors should have been (more) involved in this process particularly with the acoustic readings, because we’re the ones that have to make the decision,” the Deputy Mayor remarked.
“We didn’t know (the acoustic testings) were happening. It’s very hard to vote for something if you’re not on the ground getting a firsthand feel of the noise and so on.
“I walked into the office thinking ‘no, I’m not going to vote for this’, but I had to listen to what the other Councillors had said and also to what Council staff had said.
“The DA covered a lot of questions I had; my main concern was ‘I just hope it’s not a disaster waiting to happen’, in regard to accidents - we’re talking about helicopters, it’s (proposed new base) pretty close to the marina, there is (potential collision) with boats etc.”
The only Councillor who voted against the recommendation said he has nothing against Nautilus, believes scenic flights have their place in town and that his decision came down to one key factor.
“It’s going to create a lot of noise and a lot of complaints, we’ve already had 34 submissions already, before the recommendation got approved,” Mr Zammataro remarked.
“I can’t see how (base relocation to Port St) makes sense - businesses could suffer because of it.
“If one business enhances from it, how many can suffer from it; people come to Port because of the ambience of it - they love Port because of that.
“I didn’t expect the DA to get approved.
“It’s just the wrong location, once it starts, there will be a lot of complaints, and it will open a can of worms. It will be very loud - it will be heard in town.
“Again, Nautilus does a great job, this is nothing against them at all – I just personally feel it’s the wrong location.”
Vote results
Cr Noli, Cr McKeown, Cr Scomazzon - Yes
Cr Zammataro – No
Mayor Kerr (Didn’t vote – conflict of interest)
Final result (3-1)
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