The petition now has 436 signatures. Thank you for taking the time to add your signature and to those who left a comment. Most of you are either from Mission Beach, the region, or have visited Mission Beach to appreciate the peaceful village atmosphere and exceptional natural environment.

Mr Cronin responded to our appeal to locate his helicopter aerodrome away from residents and important wildlife, during an ABC Far North radio interview; “There is a process for a reason”.  “The gate is closed and the horse has bolted”.

Mr Cronin was referring to the ‘compromise deal’ brokered to avoid a court hearing against the development.

Mr Cronin appears to have little regard for due process.  An advertising sign was erected on 2224 Tully Mission Beach Road without a permit. An A-frame sign was placed in the Village Green advertising helicopter services – without a permit. The council has intervened on both occasions.

Shortcomings in both the local and state development assessment process has meant there were no environmental reports required to be lodged with the development application or at any other stage of the Local or State government approval.

The development was not referred to the Federal Government to be assessed under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act despite it being brought to the then Environment Minister Sussan Ley and her departments attention several times.

The Minister informed us “The company has advised that it is aware of its obligations and would seek advice from the department when appropriate”. “The department will continue to work closely with Mission Helicopters Pty Ltd to ensure it complies with national environmental law and protects the environment and particular the southern cassowary".  

We have been told by the department the new Environment Minister, the Hon Tanya Plibersek, is taking a more serious approach to Federal Government development assessments.

MBC has written to Minister Plibersek as a matter of extreme urgency asking her to use her discretionary powers to 'call in’ the helicopter development so any potential impacts can be properly assessed.

WE DO NEED YOUR HELP AGAIN

If the minister received 436 individual emails it might make the difference between the Ministers decision to ‘call in’ the development... or not. 

In the email you could tell the Minister what your relationship is to Mission Beach and how much you value the natural environment and cassowaries. You could ask the Minister to please stop this developer from running roughshod over our Mission Beach village community.

It only needs to be a short message which includes the following information;

Local and State legislation is failing to protect the high biodiversity values at Mission Beach.

I respectfully request that you use your Ministerial powers under section 70 of the EPBC Act to request Mission Helicopters refer the Helicopter Aerodrome development for assessment under the Act.  

I am of the view that this development will have, or is likely to have, a significant impact on Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES), namely the Southern Cassowary and associated coastal lowland ecosystems.

Address your email to:
The Hon Tanya Plibersek 
Minister for Environment and Water
Minister.Plibersek@dcceew.gov.au
 
THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME
Your email could mean an aerodrome in the heart of Mission Beach... or not!

LG
Mission Beach Cassowaries
nohelicoptershere.com