Heliport opposition mounts

More residents are opposing the construction of a heliport in Strijdom Park.

The heliport is set to be constructed for Halo Aviation on the corner of CR Swart Drive and Fabriek Street, for emergency helicopter services.

Representatives of the Strijdom Park Business Forum, Village of Golden Harvest Two and Ward 104 councillor Mike Wood raised concerns that the heliport structure might be too small for its required 30m-radius public safety area.

They believe that the safety area, which should be clear of obstructions in case of accidents during take-off or landing, will either stretch beyond the structure into Fabriek Street or over the Klein Jukskei River and its park, which are frequented by people.

They have formed a group opposed to the heliport.

Now a call has been issued for residents to join the heliport’s opposition, in order to oppose the increased noise levels due to helicopters flying overhead.

Petra Mackay said that she was “infuriated” when she read about the heliport, and stuck a poster up on a community notice board on the corner of Aureole Avenue and Northwold Way, Northwold, imploring residents to “wake up and object” to the noise the helicopters would make.

Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development recently approved the environmental impact assessment of the proposed heliport.

Now the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) only has to give the go-ahead for construction to start.

Halo Aviation did not respond by the time of going to print.

Details: Heliport opposition email accounts@urbanthreat.co.za, Halo Aviation 011 792 0260.