Sydney’s world-famous harbour will be home to a new floating heliport from next month in a bid to attract high-net-worth visitors to NSW and to provide more convenient CBD-airport shuttle access for business executives.
SYDNEY- Deputy Premier and Minister for Trade and Investment Andrew Stoner said Sydney has been one of a handful of global cities without a city-based heliport, after a Darling Harbour-based service ceased operating in the late 1980s due to the redevelopment of the area.
“Industry leaders have long advocated that a CBD-based heliport be established, and today’s announcement cements Sydney’s role as a truly international city,” revealed Mr. Stoner.
“Lack of helicopter access to and from the CBD impacts on Sydney’s potential both in terms of the visitor experience and on the city’s reputation as a centre for international business when compared to cities like London or New York.
“Sydney’s new world class financial and business district Barangaroo will be well served by public transport but helicopter access will further enhance the site’s attractiveness – helicopters currently only operate from Sydney International Airport, Bankstown Airport and a private heliport at Rosehill.
“Much like BridgeClimb, the Sydney Harbour Floating Heliport is a new signature experience that will help entice visitors to Sydney and make it easy for them to enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the harbour.
“The harbour-based heliport will also encourage visitors to Sydney to explore areas further afield such as the Hunter, the Blue Mountains, and the South and North Coasts.
“From early next month, Sydney Harbour will be home to an innovative new flat top powered barge accommodating at least two helipads and sufficient deck accommodation to manage passenger operations”. People and cargo will be taken to and from the heliport by existing water taxis and other commercial operators.
“By mid-2013, the Sydney Harbour Floating Heliport will be a purpose-built vessel with meeting rooms, aircraft storage and re-fuelling facilities.NSW Trade & Investment has been working with Newcastle Helicopters, and the company has now achieved the necessary approvals to operate the heliport,” Mr Stoner said.
The heliport will operate from agreed locations remote from shipping channels and residential areas, and will be made available to any pre-approved helicopter operator during agreed operating hours of 7am to dusk. Helicopter flight paths will conform to existing routes and follow established procedures in the Sydney Harbour airspace.
Luc Citrinot a French national is a freelance journalist and consultant in tourism and air transport with over 20 years experience. Based in Paris and Bangkok, he works for various travel and air transport trade publications in Europe and Asia.
