Emirates One&Only MOD 4 - Temporary Changes to Helicopter Transport

While I can understand the increase in flights while road access is closed, there is no justification for increasing flights after the road access is restored.
Previous approval was for 14-20 helicopter trips per week.
There is no reason why this should then increase to 50 per week after the road re-opens.
This was always a poor location choice for a resort catering for international visitors. The responsibility for this lies on the resort owners. The Blue Mountains World Heritage Area should not suffer as a result. As a bushwalker, I do not want helicopters doing joy flights over remote semi-wilderness areas. There are precious few undisturbed areas left around Sydney, they were hard-fought for by past generations, and we need to protect them for future generations.
Thank you

I object to modification 4of MP06_0310
I request a refusal because Wolgan Rd is reopening in August 2026
An Environmental Impact Statement has not been done for proposed 210 helicopter flights per week impacting negatively on Gardens of Stone Conservation Area and Blue Mountains towns. The noize impacts will have devastating negative impacts on wildlife, tourists and the investment $50 million on sustainable tourism in the park. 210 flights per week is very noizy low flight altitude heavy impact on walkers, wildlife and residents of over flight towns.
These are excessive flight volumes 210 flights per week as Wolgan Road will be open in August 2026 and resort supplies can come in by road...This private resort heliport is converted to commercial heliport which is totally unnecessary. The aesthetic amenity of hikers and campers will make the park unattractive to visit as "Too Noizy" The noize assessment is out off date and obsolete...Hikers and campers have no walls or windows and therefore will be severely impacted by a new commercial heliport of 210 flights per week. The Gardens of Stone Park public asset and tourism investment will be severely degraded by excessive noize of new 210 flights per week. I object to the raised, intensified proposed noize footprint This increased noize footprint in the Lower Blue Mountains(Glenbrook and Springwood) and World Heritage National Park and Gardens of Stone will have severe stress on residents, campers and hikers eg Pagoda Walk, Birds Rock Lookout and Forest Camp ruining the acoustic amenity of these high use visitor areas.
These 210 flights of helicopters per week will have dramatically increased flight crash risk and fire threat in summer if there are accidents eg low flight collisions with planes.

I object to the proposal. The impacts from significantly increased helicopter operations are unacceptable and this modification should be refused for the following reasons.

-The proposed increase from 14 return trips/week to 105 return/week is significant and should potentially be an entirely new approval application due to significant new noise impacts.
-The assessment is insufficient and doesn't include assessment of impacts of the flight path beyond the immediate area, or assessment of impacts to users of surrounding national parks and the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.
-Noise impacts will significantly increase to nearby national park users and residents under or near the flight path.
-The proposal appears unnecessary - the Donkey Steps is currently open, and Wolgan road will reopen in 2026, allowing vehicle access to the location.
-The proponent has demonstrated a past lack of compliance with approvals - there have been documented past exceedances of allowed helicopter movement limits, and the land swap with NPWS which was a condition of approval is still incomplete 20 years after approval.
-The impacts will be borne by the general public for the benefit of the elite few who can afford to pay prices starting from $2k+/night.
-Sets a precedent potentially triggering cumulative impacts - if this is approved, other businesses may seek similar approvals which could result in large numbers of helicopter movements over the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.

I object to Modification 4 of MP06_0310 and therefore ask the Department to refuse the modification because the Wolgan Road is re-opening in 4 months' time negating the need for this application. Furthermore, an Environmental Impact Statement has not been conducted for high numbers of helicopter flights impacting on sensitive park areas. The noise created will impact directly and irrefutably on the Gardens of Stone SCA and is a further reason why this modification should be rejected.
The modification does not consider the adverse impacts of the proposed helicopter overflights above Newnes Plateau passing directly over the Pagoda Walk, Birds Rock Lookout and Forest Camp, ruining the acoustic amenity of these scenic areas where I bushwalk. The proponent’s report understates the impacted World Heritage Area by nearly half by omitting the Gardens of Stone National Park from the property.
I implore you to refuse this modification which would manifestly spoil the unique attributes of parts of the Blue Mountains - an area of world renown which Australia should be proud it still has and which is your responsibility to preserve for future generations.
Thank you for your consideration,
Yours sincerely,
Zoe Wall

I Object to Modification 4 of MP06_0310.
Road access to the Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort is due to be restored by the end of 2026 and therefore it is totally unnecessary to consider helicopters to overcome this problem.
I live in Bullaburra and often walk locally and in in other areas in the Blue Mountains and the thing that most disturbs my walks (more than road and rail noise) is overflying helicopters. It is not just the volume of noise which is disturbing but also the suddenness. In many locations the overall impact is amplified by the terrain. Walking in the bush should be a calming and enjoyable activity (as well as having significant health benefits) but these effects are totally negated by overflying helicopters. To have up to30 extra flights per day would destroy all the benefits I get from walking in my usual areas of activity.
Increased noise of any sort, but particularly helicopter noise is a negative for visitors to the Blue Mountains who come for peace and quiet and the natural beauties of the area. As such it could significantly reduce the attractiveness of our area for tourists.
Helicopter flying would be one of the most fossil fuel consuming activities we have and as such should be heavily restricted for us to have much hope of reducing all the adverse effects of greenhouse gas emissions. Current helicopter use everywhere should be closely examined and reduced as much as possible (even for emergency services).
Please refuse this modification as totally unnecessary and detrimental to the environment.

I object to Modification 4 of MP06_0310.
1. the use of Helicopters to service one luxury destination over environmental senstive landscapes is not acceptable as the noise increase would deter visitiors from coming. I walk, canyon and drive in this area and would not like my enjoyment to be disturbed due to excess noise.
2. They state this is a "temporary" request but no end date is provided.
3. Road access will be open to all, according to Lithgow Council towards the end of the year and there is access even now.
4. This is the same arguement that was used to try and get scenic flights over the Blue Mountains from Medlow Bath and was halted due to noise pollution.

I object to the proposed modifications to daily Helicopter flights. I am resident of Blue Mountains plus a bush walker & our World Heritage area is precious.
The proposal is totally uneccesary Emerites cites the need for these increased excessive flights due to Wolgan Rd being closed however my understanding is that the road will reopen in August 2026. I believe that once Emerites potentially has approval for up to 210 flights/week they will not dial back this number. This increase from 4/week already approved is an dramatic increase request more in keeping with a commercial tourist request.
The geography of the Blue Mountains with it's gullies & mountains creates noise capture or acoustic concentration ie you hear an aircraft coming, then flying over & going - longer period of time.
The area where the helicopters will fly multiple times includes recreation/living areas & will impact directly those wishing to bush walk & be in the beautiful mountains area with noise pollution & visual pollution. I don't believe environmental & safety considerations has been taken into consideration. I totally object to this increase in flights by Emerites & request the Planning Department reject this obvious commercial grab with little consideration on local & tourists coming to visit the beautiful Blue Mountains. regards Ruth Buttsworth

I object to Modification 4 of MP06_0310 as it is an unnecessary change that will degrade the mountains and specifically the gardens of stone area due to excessive noise pollution. I ask that the modification is rejected as the Wolgan Road is re-opening in August 2026. I personally love the mountains due to the peace and quiet it provides, while I was living in the city I frequently made trips up to the mountains purely to escape the noise. This opportunity for everyone will disappear if the modification is passed and the only beneficiaries will be the resort and the select few who can afford to stay there. The noise pollution assessment does not take into account the effect on hikers, climbers and other people who go to the blue mountains and its national parks to enjoy the peace of the outdoors. There is also a poor history of the Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort failing to fulfill obligations for land exchange with the National Parks and Wildlife Service and hence we cannot trust them that a "temporary" modification would not become permanent.

Please make consider the interests of the general public in this matter over the interests of a tiny minority who can afford helicopter rides, our public sanctuaries should not be ruined for the sake of a rich persons joy ride.

The proposal to have a private helipad in the National Park so close to The Gardens of stone is just ludicrous as it is a sanctuary for people and animals to go to enjoy the peace and quiet and harmony of nature they don’t expect that peace to be broken by up to 30 flights a week. Given that there is access by road. This proposal needs to be not approved.
Sincerely
Mrs Simone Young

I object to Modification 4 of MP06_0310

I am a resident of the Kanimbla Valley which is part of Lithgow City Council area. I object to this modification for these reasons:

1) Up to 30 helicopter flights per day constitute an excessive use of fossil fuels (per person transported) in a time when fossil fuel consumption should be reduced because of climate change and because of Australia’s dependency on imported fuel. This type of transport is pure luxury which goes against environmental goals (Australia has signed up to the Paris Agreement) and against social norms (privatising gains and socialising the impacts of pollution and noise).

2) The Modification is unnecessary as Wolgan Gap Road is scheduled to reopen to 2WD traffic by August 2026. Therefore, Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort can conveniently be accessed via road.

3) I’m also worried about directly being impacted by frequent noise (up to 30 times a day). Because of Western Sydney airport, helicopters will need to fly at or near legal minimum altitudes to avoid commercial flight paths. This will concentrate the noise of 30 daily Emirates helicopter movements, significantly degrading the acoustic amenity of the region.

The idea of destroying the peace and causing great disruption to the animals by the noise of helicopters is very concerning and a reason to say no to Emirates.
It is a temporary stop to access unfortunate for visitors but not a reason to destroy a very delicate environment.
Say no to emirates

I find this proposal totally abhorrent. Any sense of wilderness in this valley would be destroyed by the appalling racket of helicopters almost without respite throughout the entire day.

I object to the proposed increase in helicopter movements associated with the Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort Modification 4 proposal. I have been a resident of the Blue Mountains for 36 years.
The residents of the Blue Mountains are already facing increasing aircraft noise with unlimited and 24 hour flights to and from Western Sydney Airport. WSA flight paths would mean that helicopters would be flying low over residential areas. The proposal would add up to 30 helicopter movements a day. This would add significantly to noise to both residents and tourists and have a cumulative impact when combined with WSA noise levels. Noise would potentially negatively impact educational, child care and businesses, as well as the amenity of residents and visitors. Visitors to the Blue Mountains come for an experience of natural beauty; to feel awed at the wonder and expanse of nature; to bushwalk in natural environments. Low flying helicopters would only detract from this experience. The Blue Mountains is a World Heritage Area and as such should be preserved for future generations as a place of significance.
As I understand it the road to Wolgan Valley will be opened later in the year reducing the need for alternative transport. Approving this proposal is only favouring the rich, and detracting from the majority of people, residents and visitors, who want to experience a natural environment.
I therefore request that the current proposal be refused.
Thank you for considering this submission.

They are requesting way too many helicoper trips when the road is open again.
The application is somewhat misleading, saying they want a temporary increase while the road is shut but then buried in the text below they are also after a permanent increase.
That many trips will affect the wilderness areas nearby. I imagine they would use their 10 trips/day on Fri/Sat/Sun which is also the time that most other people will be using the bushland, expecting solitude and the sounds of nature (not the sounds of a low flying helicopter).
The application p12/13 refers to the Donkey Steps access restrictions - these do not seem to match the current restrictions from the Lithgow City Council website that are dated Feb 24. It seems inexcusible that these changes to the Donkey Steps operation are not reflected in the application. The "Donkey Steps Emergency Bypass Route Access Strategy Plan" says they are open 24x7. There is also now no pilot vehicle unlesss the traffic lights aren't working.

The application doesn't consider anyone other than residents of the Wolgan Valley to be a stakeholder. The "Social impacts" section 8.3 doesn't mention recreational users of the National Park.

I would also like it noted that their consultation letter is from 2023 and only refers a temporary increase in trips while the Wolgan Valley Rd is closed. The actual application is for both a massive temporary increase while the road is closed but then a large permanent increase forevermore.

Attn Mr Jeffrey Peng
Submission regarding Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort Modification 4
I ask the Dept of Planning to refuse this proposal. See attached submission
Kind regards
Pam Staples

Please see attached doc.

I want to oppose the request. My reasons are set out below
The proposal is based on the fact that the Wolgan Road is closed. It is scheduled to be reopened by August this year so this request is unnecessary. The road is safe enough for 2WD drive vehicles.The proposal is supposed to be a temporary fix but if allowed this will be hard to roll back.
This proposal for 210 flights per week is simply excessive. It will create so much noise it will ruin the experience for walkers, campers, climbers, bird watchers and others who go to places like this for solitude and to admire the natural beauty not be bombarded with loud noises. This proposal will ruin the peace and tranquility this area provides.
It's not clear how these helicopter flight patterns will work with the new airport flight paths. The proposer needs to explain how these flights will work with the additional flights from the new airport. Will they add additional noise to the lower blue mountains due to their flight paths needing to be quite low?
I also have safety concerns about the high density of these proposed flights

I object to Modification 4 of MP06_0310.
I have recently retired, want to visit the Garden of Stones area again, and object to 30 helicopter flights per day that will destroy the audible and visual amenity of the area. Helicopter flights are restricted over scenic and wild areas for a reason; they disturb the wildlife and affect the experiences of any visitors. Helicopters are also an incredibly polluting form of transportation, with climate impacts likely far higher than the use of road transport.
Please refuse the modification because the Wolgan Road is re-opening in August 2026 and an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has not been conducted for high numbers of helicopter flights impacting on sensitive park areas.
Regards,
Garth Wimbush

Please see attached

I strongly object to Modification 4 of MP06_0310. Wolgan Road is due to reopen in August 2026 and I am very concerned that allowing up to 30 flights per day will be a precedent that Emirates will use to increase the number of in and out flights on a permanent basis.
I have friends who live at Glen Davis and as such visit the Gardens of Stone and the Newnes Plateau at every chance I can get. Helicopters are a huge intrusion on bushwalkers, bot for the noise and the visual impact they have. I have experienced tourism helicopter flights from the ground in national Parks in Western Australia and I am totally against this type of intrusion in the Gardens of Stone area, indeed anywhere where bushwalking is a principal activity.

In line with my concerns, the modification does not consider the adverse impacts of the proposed helicopter overflights above Newnes Plateau passing directly over the Pagoda Walk, a public camping ground on the walk, Birds Rock Lookout and Forest Camp ruining the acoustic amenity of these high use visitor areas. The proponent’s report also understates the impacted World Heritage Area by nearly half (by omitting the Gardens of Stone National Park from the property). It concerns me that the proponent is endeavouring to minimise the likely impacts to legitimise their claim.

There is no guarantee that this "temporary" increase in flights won't become a permanent fixture once established. In fact, it's likely that the transport to the resort by helicopter will be permanent, once established.

On the basis of these concerns, I strongly object to the proposal.