Affected groups are opposing the construction of a heliport in Strijdom Park, citing the danger of a “safety zone” extending into the nearby road or park.
The heliport, consisting of a helipad, building and parking lot, is set to be constructed for Halo Aviation on the premises owned by Power Master Systems, corner CR Swart Drive and Fabriek Street, for emergency helicopter services.
This is situated a few hundred metres from the N1 Highway and Malibongwe Drive.
The helipad must have a 60m-diametre (30m-radius) public safety area, stretching beyond the actual helipad and clear of obstructions, in case of accidents during landing and lift offs.
According to representatives of the Strijdom Park Business Forum, Village of Golden Harvest Two and Ward 104 councillor Mike Wood, the property meets this criteria in length, but is only half that in width.
They believe that the safety area will either extend from the property over the pavement next to it, halfway into Fabriek Street, or, on the other side of the property over the Klein Jukskei River and its park – where people allegedly eat their lunch every day.
An environmental impact assessment of the proposed heliport was carried out by Candis Lubbe of Umhlaba Consulting Group, and was recently approved by the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Now the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) only has to give the go-ahead for construction to start.
“This is a great concern,” Wood said.
“People’s lives are a concern. We challenge Halo [Aviation] to meet with us and show us and the residents where the helipad will be and where the safety area is, because we cannot have a safety area in a public area.”
“We do not want to stop the business,” said Mandy Mockler, chairperson of the Strijdom Park Business Forum.
“But safety is a huge concern. [the heliport’s position] is dangerous.”
Affected groups intend to appeal the approval of the assessment.
Lubbe responded that all aspects of the heliport were mentioned in her assessment, including concerns regarding the safety area, and it was now up to SACAA to determine all the heliport’s logistics before construction.
