Webinar: Protecting Victorian Heart Hospital helipad flight paths

What is required to ensure safe helicopter flight paths to and from the Victorian Heart Hospital?

The Victorian Health Building Authority (VHBA) is seeking to make changes to the Monash Planning Scheme to protect the emergency medical services helicopter flight paths to and from the Victorian Heart Hospital.

Currently under construction, the new hospital is located at the Monash University Clayton campus on Blackburn Road and is scheduled for completion in late 2022.

VHBA is seeking an amendment to the Monash Planning Scheme to apply DDOs over the helicopter flightpath. Amendment C170mona will ensure new development within the flightpath zone doesn’t impact the movement of emergency medical services helicopters to and from the hospital.

What does that mean for future development proposals within the DDO?

If your land or property is within the specified DDO area, the Department of Health will review planning permits for any buildings, works or plumes that have the potential to impact the flight paths. This will only be relevant for works expected to reach a height equal to the helipad’s elevation (11 storeys) or 10 metres above the helipad’s elevation, depending on distance from the hospital.

Applications referred to the Department of Health will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. If the proposed development will not affect emergency medical services helicopter flights, the development is likely to be supported or supported with conditions in the permit.

As a property owner within the DDO, can I still subdivide or build an upstairs extension on my house?

Yes, you can still subdivide or build an upstairs extension on your house.

Planning permits will only be referred to the Department of Health if your proposed works have the potential to impact the emergency medical services helicopter flight paths.

As the helipad will be located on top of the Victorian Heart Hospital, measuring 11 storeys, only building works equal to or in excess of this height will require a referral.

What time of the day will the helicopters fly over?

The transfer of critically ill patients can happen at any time of the day or night. An average of three to four helicopter landings per week are expected at the Victorian Heart Hospital once it is operational in 2023.

How much noise can I expect from helicopters flying overhead?

There will be some noise from emergency medical services helicopters transporting critically ill patients to and from the new Victorian Heart Hospital. However, only three to four helicopter landings are expected per week.

How are the helipad flight paths determined?

The helicopter flight paths for the Victorian Heart Hospital have been designed to ensure the availability of the helipad for the transfer of critically ill patients. Considerations include wind data and any obstacles in the area at the operating height of the helipad.

Send us a submission

Submissions closed on Monday 15 August 2022.
 

Have a question?

If you have any questions, you can contact us at vhba.psafeedback@health.vic.gov.au and we will respond as soon as possible.