The Council in the South Australian state capital of Adelaide has today launched a plan to build a helipad in the central business district.  While the Council is not committing any funding, there is the possibility of either some land being leased by them for use as a heliport, or a floating heliport in the Torrens River.

The launch calls for expressions of interest to build and run a heliport, which would necessarily require private investor funding, with a closing date of 20th July.

Councillor Houssam Abiad, who has lobbied for development, said he believed the helipad would help grow business and tourism in the city.  Abiad brought the idea to the Council in September 2015 but has still not received the requested viability report.  He has thus taken a new approach by seeing who would be interested in building and/or running a heliport to show that there is a demand.  It is expected that a helipad would attract tourists and high roller casino clients to take joy flights direct from the city to the wine regions and Kangaroo Island.  Both Intercontinental Hotel and Adelaide Casino have previously been supportive of a helipad.

“A permanent commercial helipad is an important component of a growing city like Adelaide, to service the needs of business and tourism,” Mr Abiad said. “Tourism is a major driver of the city economy and I’ve got no doubt that the installation of a helipad would help boost our tourist numbers.”

Jeremy Parkin – HeliHub.com