New helicopter landing pads

Night time helicopter operations at the Sunshine Coast Airport will be less noisy for airport neighbours with the construction of new landing pads early in 2012.

Major Projects Councillor Debbie Blumel said that the new helicopter landing pads will be located on the western side of the airport to help reduce noise impacts from flight training.

"The installation of the airport’s first purpose-built, illuminated, helicopter landing facility will change night time helicopter operations at the Marcoola airport," Cr Blumel said.

"The infrastructure will reduce use of the main runway by helicopters needing landing guidance at night.

"An unlit helicopter pad will be built abeam the middle of the cross runway and a lit helicopter pad will be located on an existing taxiway adjacent to the AGL Action Rescue Helicopter facility.

"I believe that this will be a positive step towards reducing night-time helicopter noise impacts currently experienced by local people particularly in the Pacific Paradise and Mudjimba areas."

Council approved $90,000 for the pads in this year’s capital budget.