SOS flight plan set for OK

A FLIGHT path for helicopters to Dandenong Hospital will be protected if the state’s Planning Minister signs off on a council submission on height restrictions in the vicinity of the helipad.
Amendment C75 to the Greater Dandenong Planning Scheme was passed by councillors after a panel hearing in October determined that protecting the flight path to the 20-year-old helipad as development in Dandenong took place was paramount to the effectiveness of emergency services.
The council has recommended that applications that exceed a height of 35.95 metres in about a 1 kilometre radius of the helipad must come before it so councillors can decide whether or not it will obstruct the flight path.
The issue first came to council in August 2006 as concerns that new development in Dandenong might pose a height risk for helicopters using the helipad.
The panel hearing in October heard from the council, VicUrban, Department of Infrastructure and Department of Human Services, as well as a property owner in the affected area.
The council will now submit an updated Amendment C75 to the Planning Minister for approval.