Gina Rinehart pushes for rooftop helipad at Hancock Prospecting’s West Perth headquarters

Hancock Prospecting’s Ord Street building in West Perth sought approval for a private-use helipad on its roof. The City of Perth rejected the application in December 2026, citing noise and planning-scheme concerns. Hancock Prospecting appealed to the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT). The first day of hearings began on October 26, 2026 and continued on October 27, 2026. The tribunal, chaired by Judge Henry Jackson, was scheduled for two days but was adjourned part-heard on the second day; a further hearing date has not yet been set.

WAtoday

The council’s refusal centered on potential noise impacts in an office-residential precinct. The Child and Adolescent Health Service submitted that intermittent helicopter noise could disrupt testing of children with autism, sensory issues, ADHD or anxiety, and warned that the building’s asbestos roof might be disturbed by downwash.

WAtoday

During the SAT hearing, City of Perth barrister Tim Houweling highlighted predicted maximum noise levels of 90 decibels at nearby buildings and noted that at 100 decibels occupants would need to shout to be heard a metre apart. Acoustic engineer Luke Zoontjens, hired by the project team, cited modelling that projected 79–82 decibels in parts of the surrounding neighbourhood and acknowledged the possibility of rattling windows and objects.

The Sydney Morning Herald

Grant Donaldson KC, counsel for Ord Street Holdings, argued the helipad would operate only in daylight (midday-7 pm) and be used up to 12 times a year, amounting to 144 minutes of flight time annually.

WAtoday

After the council’s refusal, the company submitted a revised plan with a new flight path that approaches from the south-west, tracks Thomas Street on the edge of Kings Park, and descends onto Ord Street, while further reducing operating timeframes.

WAtoday

• “Once approved there are no methods of enforcing the noise levels that are omitted?” — Tim Houweling

The Sydney Morning Herald

• “You wouldn’t want your grandmother living there,” — Tim Houweling

The Sydney Morning Herald