MAYOR Marina Vergone demanded answers at Tuesday night’s council meeting after a series of joy flights were temporarily approved to take off from a popular Halls Head location.
Rotorvation Helicopters had flights take off from an area adjacent to the Mary Street lagoon, angering nearby residents and Mayor Vergone who questioned what was being done to rectify the situation.
“Council did not approve helicopters to land at Mary Street,” Mayor Vergone said.
Director of Sustainable Development Tony Free told the meeting the joy flights were approved by delegated officers and not councillors for a four-week trail period.
Rotorvation Helicopters chief executive Mike Watson said the company was given approval to operate from either the Mary Street Lagoon or the ocean marina.
He said given the concerns of neighbours raised with Mr Free, the remainder of the three-week trial period would be based at the ocean marina location.
“Rotorvation Helicopters take the residents’ needs very seriously,” he said.
“We want to work with the people in the area so that it works.”
Councillor Lynn Rodgers questioned on Tuesday night why council could not just insist the joy flights were to take off from the marina.
Mr Watson indicated the company would like to continue operating its scenic helicopter tours during peak times in Mandurah and said the flights would be good for the area and for tourism. But he said he did not want to inconvenience residents during the process, with the decision made to continue the trial from the marina.
Rotorvation Helicopters are taking bookings for the three-week trial period with helicopter flights starting from $90. The flights operate on a Saturday and Sunday with a decision on whether or not the flights go ahead on a permanent contract to be made later this year.
“If the helicopter operator wants to operate over the summer then a report would be made to council,” Mr Free said.
