Great Lakes Council recently approved the development application for an Air Transport Facility (Heliport) on the proposed Spinifex Ave site.

President of the Westpac Support Group, Rusty Sargeant said the installation of such a facility is essential for the community.

“The funding means that the helicopter doesn’t have to land in the sports oval, and the site will be more convenient for the ambulance to access.”

Donated by Crighton Properties in 2007, the 45m x 45m site is surrounded by vacant rural lots and has easy access for emergency vehicles.

“We’ll need to put a basic filling on the site to bring it up to the appropriate level so that it drains well and then the pad will easily go in,” Tattersalls Surveyors representative Bob Lander said.

While a construction date is yet to be finalised the facility is expected to be ready for use before the busy Christmas holiday period.

“It’s been a long battle and it was a long battle with the Bulahdelah site but the main thing is we have approval and all the people who donated money towards it will be able to see it once it is constructed,” Ms Sargeant said.

A shark attack at Hawks Nest in December 2007 emphasised the need for a proper helipad in the town when the Westpac Rescue Helicopter had to land on the old bowling green so the ambulance could get close enough to transport the patient.

The completed helipad will be used exclusively by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter and other emergency services. No commercial applications have been proposed.