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

I object to Modification 4 of MP06_0310.
I am a retired lecturer in geography, with particular concern for rural development. I have had both personal and professional interests in the Blue Mountains park and the Gardens of Stone, which I have explored with groups and alone. From first acquaintance I was massively impressed with the Gardens of Stone as a unique landscape and scene for peaceful recreation. It therefore disturbs - no, appalls - me that anyone could propose running helicopter flights in the region, shattering natural peace with the cacophony of some of the noisiest engines around.
Ground access to the area will shortly be restored, as Wolgan Road is re-opening in August 2026 and, as far as I'm aware, no Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has been conducted for absurdly high numbers of helicopter flights impacting on sensitive park areas. Apart from ruining the peace of any visitors on the ground, the noise would have a sad impact on wildlife. There are also obvious concerns about safety. The most likely result of approval of these flights for well-heeled consumers would be a massive fall in the number of people seeking beauty and peaceful recreation on the ground, leading to a loss for the region's newly expanding tourism industry.

I am writing to object to the proposed increase in helicopter movements associated with the Emirates Logan Valley Resort - Modification 4 proposal.
As a long time resident of the lower Blue Mountains the increased intrusion over the once quiet skies of the world renowned Blue Mountains National Park has increasingly adversely affect residents and visitors a like. Helicopter noise shatters the experience of the bushwalker and that is the memory that will remain with visitors to our beautiful and in turn inform potential visitors. Currently the near twice daily roar of helicopters overhead my residence more often than not, not only startles and assault the eardrums, but when they drift low to check out the environment I definitely feel my privacy intruded upon..
The irresponsible suggestion that Emirates could increase this helicopter traffic by thirty flights a day over both residential and wilderness areas is not only a frivolous waste aviation fuel but a reckless disregard of the World Heritage Area and State Conservation Area (the Gardens of Stone) and its wildlife. The Emirates 210 flights per week proposal HAS NOT demonstrated that this will not damage the environment, residential amenities, social welfare or the local economy. It ignores its noise pollution and this alone should dismiss Emirates proposal.
Whilst Emirates may have to wait a few months for the Wolgan Gap Rd to open to all who come there is no disaster in the valley that justify temporary flights.
Please record my opposition to the Emirates proposal and I sincerely hope you can side with the residents and visitors to the Blue Mountains who want our national parks to be as natural as possible, free from the recking ball of noise of luxury helicopter flights.

I live in the Blue Mountains and I'm an active BushWalker. The Gardens of Stone is a fantastic new national Park and we should not ruin the serenity of the area by opeining a Heliport for Tourists.
The Wolgan Valey road is due to re-open and that should be the main entry to the site. I imagine that will be the main way for staff and deliveries - why not guests ?

I am writing to submit my strident objection to this proposal that would increase helicopter noise pollution at a moment when our precious skies and calm is being disrupted by the new airport. Taken together with the cumulative noise from aircraft, this is just so concerning. As a resident of Katoomba here in the mountains, I am heartbroken to have to write submission after submission against proposals that impact on residential wellbeing and the natural beauty of a world heritage area.

It's especially concerning that the justification for this proposal is that more helicopters are necessary because Wolgan Road will be inaccessible -- despite information suggesting the road is expected to reopen in August this year. In this context, I'm not sure that the scale of helicopter flights can really be justified.

Given the lengthy list of impacts this could have on our region, the environment, and wellbeing of human residents and the wellbeing of the non-human beings that live here, this proposal should be subject to a much higher level of scrutiny.

Kindly,

Dear Sirs,

I am writing to you because I wish to object to Modification 4 of MP06_0310 for the following reasons.

I am very much a Senior (82 this year) and have spent many an enjoyable day in and around the Wolgan Valley and its environs. Peace and quiet.

The Resort’s proposal to allow up to 210 helicopter flights per week would totally destroy the serenity of this area. The number of proposed flights, 30 per day, would likely mean three flights per hour, for a 10 hour flight day, or in other words, one every 20 minutes. And, on leaving, as the helicopters would have to climb rapidly to gain altitude to clear the Newnes Plateau, the noise would be rather extreme.

There is no rationale for this proposal. The Wolgan Gap road is planned to be reopened in August, and access will be available again for the Resort, negating the need for this proposal.

The only winner from would be the Resort, the loosers all those who go to this magnificent area to experience it and the Gardens of Stone (in particular), not to watch and hear multiple helicopter flights. Local and nearby residents will also suffer.

I respectfully request that Modification 4 of MP06_0310 be rejected.

Yours sincerely

Richard Graylin
Springwood

I very strongly object to this project as it is so contrary to what living and being in the mountains represents for residents and visitors.
I have lived here for over a decade and was a regular visitor for 2 decades before that, and I just find it so disheartening that a project like this could even be proposed.
30 helicopter flights per day is just absurd. We are talking about a machine that makes a very disturbing loud noise and creates sound waves (relevant to its direction) that absolutely decimate the peace and tranquility of those within earshot.
This will negatively affect residents, sight seers and bushwalkers. All for the sake of a tiny minority of people who can isolate themselves from the real world with their deep pockets.
I want the Blue Mountains to remain the peaceful haven it has been for me so that my children and grandchildren can experience the same into their later years.
I find it ironic that this project could get any consideration while the development of the unique and stunning Gardens of Stone is being developed as a new tourist destination. I note here that as the main tourist spots around Katoomba are getting busier, we (residents & repeat visitors) are heading west into the GoS and Wolgan Valley areas for our nature activities - so into areas that will be very heavily impacted!
Please! Reject this proposal to allow our peaceful camping and bush walking activities to continue offering the mental and physical benefits we get from communing with nature.
Thank you
Richard Madigan

Please see attachment

I object to this project - for reasons see attachment.
No increase in flight frequency permitted will remain "temporary"

See my attached document.

I am writing on behalf of myself and my family. We understand Emirates Resort wish to the-open the resort in August of this year and we are in agreement with this. We have no problem with Resort being up and running again. However we fail to understand why
there needs to be such increased activity in Helicopter flights. Increasing flight activity from 5 trips per day ( 5 in 5 out) to 15 trips per day (15 in15 out) means 210 flights in and out of the valley within seven days. We strongly object to this. There would be a helicopter flying over heads almost every 30 minutes.
We also strongly object to the altered flight path. We did not submit an objection last time Emirates submitted a plan for increased flights as the flight path over Carne Creek Valley is less intrusive and disruptive to way of life. With this new submission, we will lose our privacy, not to mention the amount of noise we will have to endure, which will be considerable , over our heads. I would also like to ask, what guarantee is there, if Emirates succeed in a submission to increase flights, once the road re-opens, that Emirates will reduce their helicopter flights?
We would like to see a return to the previous flight path,Carne Creek Valley, which will have less impact on the local land holders and a reduction in helicopter flights than this current application proposes.
Kind regards
Maria & Nick Vetta

BMCS Objection to the project

Please see attachment below

Dear Mr Peng,

Please find attached Wilderness Australia's submission as an objection to proposed modification 4 of Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort (MP06_0310). Also attached as part of this submission is correspondence to Minister Scully regarding concerns about the exhibition of this proposal. This letter was lodged through the Minister's webform before the Planning Submissions Portal outage on Sunday 17 May (when most people would be making submissions). This system outage strengthens the case for an extension to the exhibition period for this proposed modification, beyond the extra day provided to 19 May (deadline was originally 18 May).

Yours sincerely,

Keith Muir
Hon. Projects Officer
Wilderness Australia

I have had a long association with the Wolgan Valley area frequently visiting the former Newnes State Forest (now Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area) for bushwalks and have lived in the Blue Mountains for 46 years.
* I object most strongly to this proposal for 210 flights per week and believe it should be rejected outright because:-
It is unnecessary as the Wolgan Valley road is scheduled to reopen in August this year and the resort already has approval for 4 flights per week. If the resort needed more flights to be viable it should have sought approval at the time of the original Development Application.
* Any more than 4 flights per week (the 210 proposed is outrageous) will have a serious impact on visitor enjoyment of the recently declared Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area where overflight is presently a rarity. The National Parks and Wildlife Service is currently investing many millions of dollars providing visitor facilities including a new "great walk" and an extensive campground which along with the outstanding natural features will attract high visitation. The enjoyment of the quiet natural environment of the reserve should not be allowed to be compromised for the convenience of the few who wish to travel by helicopter.
Increased helicopter traffic over other parts of the Blue Mountains will be detrimental to the enjoyment of visitors to the National Park and residents.
I urge this proposal be rejected.

Please see the attached submission lodged on behalf of the Wolgan Valley Association.

Please see the attached document outlining my submission.

I object to the proposal for additional helicopter flights to and from the Wolgan Resort. I am deeply concerned for the impact this proposal will have on the Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area, particularly the noise impacts on bushwalkers, campers and canyoners in this truly remarkable area. I have been visiting the Gardens of Stone area for more than 25 years, as it is home to some of the world’s most beautiful sandstone canyons and incredible pagoda formations. The beauty and amenity of this region will be severely compromised by the level of helicopter movements proposed under this modification. The noise impacts will be devastating for current and future tourism in the region. Furthermore, it seems that the proposal is completely unnecessary, as it has been reported recently that the Wolgan Gap Road will soon reopen to 2WD vehicles. Therefore I urge you to reject this development modification.

Please see attached document.

Please see attached, for reasons we are objecting: 'Zorz Submission - Application No MP06_0310-Mod-4.pdf'.