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Katoomba Airfield Lease

Campaign Updates

28 October 2021 - Society eBlast to members and supporters

Katoomba Airfield Lease Rejected!

no heli-tourism
We’re delighted that Crown Lands has refused the commercial lease application for Katoomba Airfield.

The decision states that the application “for a lease to operate a commercial airfield, including helicopter flights, at Medlow Bath has been refused, on the basis that there is no valid planning pathway to authorise the proposed activity - a requirement under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.”

Adding that the site will remain open to emergency services.

We’re thrilled by this news and that the NSW Government has decided to uphold the original decision.

But, we’re not quite there yet.

This is a significant step towards having the land added to the National Park and we remain committed to seeing that happen, as it will ensure appropriate management and protection, and that it will always be available for fire-fighting and fire prevention purposes.

None of this could have been achieved without the incredible support and commitment of both the local and broader community with petitions, submissions, letters, phone calls and determination – and we thank you all.

Let’s keep going to secure its future once and for all.

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30 June 2021

Open Letter’s plea to NSW Government

Gross Valley Gross Valley
In a bid to have the original decision over Katoomba Airfield upheld and commercial helicopters rejected once and for all, the Society coordinated an Open letter to Minister Pavey, NSW Minister for Water, Property and Housing - published in the Sydney Morning Herald on Monday 21 June.

The Letter explains the impact the lease would have on the area, especially the Grand Canyon, Grose Valley and nearby towns, and calls on the Minister to stick to the original decision to decline the lease while asking that the site is added to the National Park.

We continue to receive widespread support for the campaign, with over forty signatories to the letter comprising community leaders, local and state-wide environmental groups, and representatives of the outdoor industry.

In addition, a petition of over 800 signatures was recently presented to the NSW Upper House, calling on the Government to reaffirm its original decision, stop offering any further commercial leases over the site and have it added to the Park.

Your support is very much appreciated.

Help keep up the pressure: Facebook  ::   Twitter  ::   Instagram


16 February 2021

Grand Canyon at risk of ruin

Grand Canyon Grand Canyon  (Ian Brown)
We can’t let helicopters shatter the peace and tranquillity of our beloved Grand Canyon.

After spending $4.8m of taxpayer’s money on a restoration that was only completed in 2017, the State Government now risks ruining it all because of developer pressure to run commercial helicopter flights.

Any helicopter noise so close to the Canyon will be absolutely devastating for the visitors who flock there, as well as significantly impacting wildlife, migratory birds and the local community.

Please join us in saying ‘no’.  We’ve written to the Minister to tell her how damaging any commercial development would be, now we need you to as well..

Help us get social and keep up the pressure
Facebook  ::   Instagram  ::   Twitter

For more about the Airfield and how you can help: www.bluemountains.org.au/airfield/


20 January 2021 - Society eBlast to members and supporters

Katoomba Airfield
Helicopters are Back on the Agenda

no heli-tourism
We’re kicking off the New Year with a new phase in our campaign and a resounding message for the NSW Government:

“stick to your original decision to reject the lease on the airfield”

A revised proposal was submitted to Crown Lands late last year and is now being re-assessed.

We’re deeply concerned about the process being adopted by the Government, and the influence that the developer has on the outcome. If the goal posts are moved and community voice ignored, it will be a flawed and biased process - it’s only fair if there’s transparency.

We’ve written to the Minister to tell her how damaging any commercial development would be, now we need you to as well..

Please help us keep up the pressure by spreading the word.

We greatly value your support and would love you to help us by spreading the word, and sharing on Facebook.

For more about the Airfield and how you can help, please visit: www.bluemountains.org.au/airfield/


13 January 2021 - Society eBlast to members and supporters

Katoomba Airfield
We Need Your Help to Stop the Helicopters

no heli-tourism
The community said ‘no’ yet Katoomba Airfield is still at risk of commercial development. We need your help to stop the helicopters.

The proposed lease, that was rejected, is now being reconsidered.
And helicopters are back on the agenda.

Join us in calling on Minister Pavey to uphold the original decision, and secure the Airfield’s long–term future, by ensuring that:

We’ve written to the Minister, now we need you to.

If we don’t act now, we risk ruining our National Park - forever.

We greatly value your support and would love you to help us by spreading the word, and sharing on Facebook.

For more details about how you can help, please visit: www.bluemountains.org.au/airfield/


30 December 2020 - Society eBlast to members and supporters

Katoomba Airfield
We Need Your Help to Stop the Helicopters

grose helicopter
We urgently need your help to stop the helicopters!

Katoomba Airfield is still at risk of commercial development and we need to act now to ensure this doesn’t happen.

We’ve written to the Minister, now we need you to.

Please help us keep up the pressure by spreading the word.

For more about the Airfield and how can help:
www.bluemountains.org.au/airfield/


24 December 2020 - Society eBlast to members and supporters

Katoomba Airfield
We Need Your Help to Stop the Helicopters.

no heli-tourism
The community said ‘no’ yet Katoomba Airfield is still at risk of commercial development.
We need your help to stop the helicopters

The proposed lease, that was rejected, is now being reconsidered.
And helicopters are back on the agenda.

Join us in calling on Minister Pavey to uphold the original decision, and secure the Airfield’s long–term future, by ensuring that:

We’ve written to the Minister, now we need you to.

If we don’t act now, we risk ruining our National Park - forever.

We greatly value your support and would love you to help us by spreading the word, and sharing on Facebook.

For more details about how you can help, please visit: www.bluemountains.org.au/airfield/


9 December 2020 - Society eBlast to members and supporters

Katoomba Airfield
Development Still a Risk

no heli-tourism
Community said ‘no’ but Katoomba Airfield is still at risk of development
We need your help urgently

Katoomba Airfield is still at risk of development into a commercial airfield for heli-charters.

The proposed lease, that was initially rejected, is now being reconsidered.

We are calling on Minister Pavey to uphold the original decision and secure the Airfield’s long–term future, by ensuring that:

We need you to join us and write to the Minister, asking the same.

If we don’t act now, we risk forever ruining our National Park. The proposed commercial airfield would directly impact the threatened species that live close to the site, destroy the natural quiet of the renowned Grand Canyon walk and Grose Valley wilderness, and impact the local community.

For more details about how you can help, please visit: www.bluemountains.org.au/airfield/





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We acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land
– the Darug and Gundungurra people –
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