OH DEAR MORE PROBLEMS
GEELONG ADVERTISER
Thursday, April 15
NATALIE STAAKS
No city permit on day of fatal jump
SKYDIVE City did not have council permission to land in the Connewarre paddock British parachutist Clare Barnes was aiming for when she died.
The City of Greater Geelong yesterday confirmed Luke McWilliam and his company were required to have a planning permit to land on the privately-owned property at the corner of Charlemont and Barwon Heads roads.
A council spokesman said a planning permit was required for any area in the municipality that was to be used as a parachuting drop zone. He said failure to comply with this requirement could result in the City taking enforcement action through the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal or through the courts.
Mr McWilliam said he was aware of the council's requirement but did not believe it was correct.
He said SkyDive City had restricted jumping at the paddock and had moved to a recreation reserve in Collendina.
``They've suggested we need to get a permit,'' Mr McWilliam said. ``I must say that 90 per cent of parachutists land on rural land and they don't have a permit to do it because most councils think it's acceptable.
``The only places in Australia that parachutists do not land in an airfield is on a beach.''
SkyDive City was banned by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority in February from dropping parachutists within two miles of the Barwon Heads Airport.
Ms Barnes, the daughter of a government minister and television newsreader, plunged to her death last month a short distance away from the alternative drop zone after a parachute malfunction.
Investigators are still collecting evidence and an inquest into her death is still some months away.
Mr McWilliam was this week charged by CASA with 21 safety breaches relating to parachutists dropping through cloud last year. The charges are not related to the death.
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