Captain Neil Morrison
Harbour Master
Port of Newcastle
Newcastle Port Authority
Scott Street Newcastle

Dear Neil,

Re: Nobbys Helicopter

I would like to thank you for your warm hospitality shown to me and Jack Shield last week and for the interesting tour of the port at Carrington, the Boat Harbour Pilot Station, and Nobbys.

We were pleased to report back to our Committee Meeting of the Movement on the 30th of our discussion with you.

Jack and I were particularly interested to learn about the port operations and of your proposals for the future of the port and to see the work being done at Carrington on the heavy transport route and at the Boat Harbour on the restoration of the old sea walls and other facilities.

The Movement greatly appreciates your enthusiasm for the port and respect of its maritime heritage.

However it was resolved that we are unconvinced that the helipad at Nobbys is necessary for the reasons which we have outlined in our objections which were tendered in reply to the Environmental Impact Statement.

Given your enthusiasm and interest in the maritime history of Newcastle we feel sure that you will agree with us when we are finally able to give our evidence to the inquiry that should be held to analyse the EIS for the Nobbys aspect of the helicopter maritime pilot transfer trial.

We decided that we would make a photographic copy of Shortland’s 1797 hand drawn eye chart which we have from the British Admiralty for you and we hope that you will add it your collection of photographs in the Port Corporation’s board room. We had already given a copy to the Lord Mayor Councillor Heys and to the Premier the Honourable Bob Carr.

We once again thank you for your kind attention.

Yours sincerely,

Doug Lithgow,
President Parks and Playgrounds Movement