Mining giant Hancock Prospecting, owned by billionaire Gina Rinehart, is set to make its case for a controversial helipad at its newly constructed headquarters in West Perth. The company has lodged a development application with the City of Perth, seeking approval for the helicopter landing site at its 16-storey office tower on Kings Park Road.
The Proposal and Its Justifications
The application, submitted in late 2024, outlines Hancock Prospecting's need for the facility to support its executive travel and operational efficiency. The company argues that the helipad is essential for transporting key personnel to remote mining sites and for facilitating urgent business travel, which is core to its resource industry operations.
Documents reveal the proposed landing site would be a ground-level facility located on the eastern side of the building, not a rooftop structure. Hancock Prospecting has engaged consultants to prepare detailed reports addressing potential community concerns, including noise impact and safety protocols. The company states it plans for limited usage, primarily during standard business hours.
Community Concerns and the Approval Process
The proposal has not landed quietly. Local residents and community groups have already raised flags about the potential for noise pollution in the mixed-use area, which borders the prestigious Kings Park. Safety, particularly concerning flight paths over dense urban areas, is another primary concern for stakeholders.
In response to these anticipated objections, the City of Perth has mandated a public consultation period, allowing locals to formally submit feedback on the development application. A council spokesperson confirmed that all community views will be assessed before a final decision is made by the Metro Inner-South Joint Development Assessment Panel (JDAP), the independent body responsible for the verdict.
The JDAP is scheduled to hear Hancock Prospecting's case in early 2025, where the company's representatives will present their arguments directly to the panel members. The outcome will hinge on whether the panel believes the operational benefits outweigh the potential amenity impacts on the surrounding West Perth neighbourhood.
Implications for West Perth and Corporate Infrastructure
This application highlights a growing tension in urban centres between corporate operational desires and residential community standards. If approved, the helipad would set a significant precedent for similar corporate infrastructure within Perth's inner-city precincts.
For Hancock Prospecting, securing the helipad is seen as a key final piece of its state-of-the-art headquarters, consolidating its corporate presence. The move underscores the logistical demands of managing a vast mining portfolio spread across remote parts of Western Australia and the globe.
The decision will be closely watched by other resource companies, urban planners, and community advocates alike. It represents a test case for how Perth manages the integration of heavy industry's logistical needs into its evolving urban landscape.
