Harbour City Helicopters
In May 2011 the decision to grant the resource consent was issued to Mark Scott Somerville of Harbour City Helicopters Ltd to operate a commercial helicopter business from two sites.
The two sites are:
- 6 Pine View Lane, Whakatane being 2 flights per day (2 take-offs and 2 landings), maximum 13 flights per week, between 7am and evening civil twilight daily; and
- Julian’s Berry Farm, 12 Huna Road, Whakatane, being 9 flights per day (9 take-offs and 9 landings), between 10am and 4pm daily from 26th December until 16th January.
Please refer to the decision and resource consent LL 2010-7771-00 granted by the Whakatane District Council for details about the decision and conditions of the resource consent.
Acoustic experts were consulted in terms of the noise of the take off and landing of the helicopter activity at each of the two sites as this aspect of noise from the helicopter activity is recognised by the Resource Management Act 1991. Expert advice concerning the applicant’s heliport sites would meet the New Zealand Standard 6807:1994 Noise Management and Land Use Planning for Helicopter Landing Areas.
Noise from helicopters in flight is not covered by the Resource Management Act 1991. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is responsible for overseeing aircraft flight. The CAA recognises the “Fly Neighbourly Guide” by the Helicopter Association International as a guideline for pilots to observe to minimise impact of helicopter flight on others.