Hospital helipad not in plan

SOUTH West Healthcare will not get a helipad as part of its redevelopment, despite the city acquiring a new emergency helicopter.The State Government has ruled out creating a landing area for the chopper at the Warrnambool campus as it begins searching for a site for a new hangar.But local Opposition MPs have vowed to maintain the pressure for the helipad, claiming it is essential.Health Minister Daniel Andrews yesterday said the helipad - costing "many, many millions of dollars" - was not the best use of financial resources. "A very small percentage of the pick-ups that this chopper will do will be from here," he said, while touring the hospital."Regardless of the helipad, this particular helicopter will spend the majority of its time in a hangar somewhere close to here."The engineering requirements and flight path issues were major factors limiting the ability to create a rooftop helipad at the hospital, Mr Andrews said.Work began yesterday to secure the location of the hangar at a nearby site.One option is next to the Mailors Flat aerodrome, with the city council allocating space in western farmland for future hangars.Mr Andrews said other sites would be explored and $1.5 million was available for the project. "We'll look for an option that works close by here (the hospital) and one that represents the best value for money," he said.The emergency air ambulance helicopter is expected to be operational next year.Liberal MPs Denis Napthine and John Vogels welcomed the establishment of a locally-based helicopter but questioned the lack of a helipad in the health care package.Mr Vogels, the member for Western Victoria, said: "The job is not being done properly unless the helipad is included as part of the hospital redevelopment."Mr Andrews cited the Royal Children's Hospital - which has a helipad in adjacent parkland - as showing landing areas are not always provided on roof tops.