Hancock Prospecting to make case for helipad at new headquarters in West Perth

Gina Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting will make its case for a helipad at its new West Perth headquarters at a City of Perth meeting tonight — where the proposal is set to face pushback — detailing how concerns have been dismissed by an independent expert.

As part of its application for the helipad at the proposed new multimillion-dollar Hancock Iron Ore site, company representatives are expected to explain how the expert found the helipad would not contribute to an increase in noise beyond the current levels in the area.

Noise and disturbance to the community has been a major sticking point with the City of Perth, which is recommending councillors vote against the application for the rooftop helipad on the basis that it would have an “adverse impact”.

“The proposal does not demonstrate that the noise and vibration impacts associated with the use can be mitigated,” officers said in the meeting agenda.

Local property owners have also objected to the helipad, citing concerns about the impact on the amenity of the area and claiming it would have no wider community benefit.

The West Australian understands Hancock will argue the noise level from its Bell 429 helicopter would be slightly less than the maximum noise levels recorded in the area due to local traffic, and on par with aircraft used by emergency services.

The company will claim independent modelling shows a maximum of 12 flights a year during daytime hours could be undertaken without “material detriment” to the amenity of the surrounding properties, The West Australian understands.

Hancock will also argue the helipad could potentially be lifesaving as a backup landing option for emergency services, including the Royal Flying Doctors Service, given its location between three of the city’s major hospitals: Perth Children’s Hospital, Sir Charles Gairdner and Royal Perth.

The helipad would be located above the roof level of the five-storey building on Ord Street, which would accommodate about 600 workers under the merged Roy Hill and Atlas Iron businesses.

It would be used to facilitate private corporate flights.