Westpac Rescue Helicopter Support Group president Rusty Sargeant said it was a positive step to have the application fee wavered.

Crighton Properties will submit the development application, for the helipad in Spinifex Ave, to council.

Members of the Great Lakes Council Local Emergency Management Committee (LEMC) believe the helipad would be best located at the Hawks Nest football oval rather than close to the retirement village.

However Ms Sargeant said this was not possible because the land for the helipad was in Tea Gardens.

“No one in Hawks Nest has said we could have the land. We are grateful that Crighton Properties has donated it and the helipad will be going there,” Ms Sargeant said.

Members of the LEMC believe the noise and downward wash associated with the use of the helipad would cause problems and the site is too close to the retirement village and residential area.

During a presentation by the Grange Art Show Committee, to the support group last week, Ms Sargeant said construction on the Tea Gardens helipad would begin in the next year.

Hunter Concrete will donate the cement for the helipad while the steel will be provided by Abigroup at a cost to the support group.

Ms Sargeant said Bulahdelah police have donated the pole and wind sock for the Tea Gardens site.