- Published:
- Tuesday 13 October 2015
The Andrews Labor Government is engaging with the community as it moves to protect flight paths for helicopters that transport ill and injured Victorians to hospital.
Ten hospitals in Victoria already have existing Design and Development Overlays in place which protect flight paths from being obstructed.
The Government is proposing changes to the Melbourne, Port Phillip, Stonnington, Monash, Frankston and Baw Baw planning schemes to protect emergency helicopter flight paths for the Royal Children’s, Royal Melbourne, Alfred, Frankston, and Warragul Hospitals.
The changes will also protect the new Monash Children's Hospital helipad where construction of a rooftop helipad is currently underway.
Community sessions will be held for local residents to find out more about the proposals:
- Monash Old Town Hall – 264 Clayton Road, Clayton – Monday 26 October 2015, 5.00pm to 7.00pm
- Frankston Library (Community Room) – 60 Playne Street, Frankston – Tuesday 27 October 2015, 4.00pm to 6.15pm
- Alfred Hospital – 55 Commercial Road, Prahran – Wednesday 28 October 2015, 4.30pm to 6.30pm
- Royal Children’s Hospital (Ella Latham Auditorium) – 50 Flemington Road, Parkville – Thursday 29 October 2015, 4.30pm to 6.30pm (for the Royal Children’s Hospital and Royal Melbourne Hospital)
- Warragul Hospital – 41 Landsborough Street, Warragul – Friday 30 October 2015, 4.30pm to 6.30pm
Further information, including maps and aerial photos of areas which are proposed to be protected, is available at:
- Department of Health and Human Services - www.capital.health.vic.gov.au/Asset_property_management_and_operations/flight_path_protection(opens in a new window)
- Shire of Baw Baw, Customer Service Centres at 61 Smith Street, Warragul & 33 Young Street, Drouin
- City of Frankston, Frankston City Council Civic Centre, 30 Davey Street, Frankston
- City of Melbourne, Level 3, 240 Little Collins Street, Melbourne
- City of Monash, 293 Springvale Road, Glen Waverley
- City of Port Phillip, 99a Carlisle Street, St Kilda
- City of Stonnington, 1251 High Street, Malvern
Submissions can be emailed to capital@dhhs.vic.gov.au(opens in a new window) until Monday 9 November 2015.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Health Jill Hennessy
“Emergency helicopters transport some of our most critically ill patients, and it’s vital that they can reach the hospital as quickly as possible.”
“We know that minutes save lives and so we’re looking at how to safeguard the flight paths of our rooftop helipads, to ensure patients can get the care they urgently need.”
“We want to hear from the community and local residents about any concerns they might have, and I encourage people to have their say.”
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Planning Richard Wynne
“The Andrews Labor Government is planning for helicopter flight paths the same way we plan our new suburbs, city precincts and suburban hubs – by accounting for the whole population and long-term needs of the whole community."