The state’s peak conservation agency has laid bare its concerns over mining billionaire Chris Ellison’s helicopter trips to the office via Herdsman Lake, as conflicting reports emerge about who gave the final sign-off and when.
The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions is liaising with the City of Stirling about concerns over potential disruption to wildlife from helicopter movements in Herdsman Lake Regional Park after revelations the Mineral Resources boss was using a site adjacent to the lake as a helipad.
The vast majority of the wetland and wildlife sanctuary is tightly controlled under the state’s Conservation and Land Management Act, with everything from watercraft to fishing at the reserve forbidden.
Ellison sought the blessing of the City of Stirling to land a helicopter at the site.Credit: COMPOSITE IMAGE: Marija Ercegovac.
But the laws do not apply to a tiny pocket in the northernmost portion along Jon Sanders Drive, which is managed by the city, used by the Perth Horse and Pony Club — and where Ellison has been landing his chopper.
A spokesperson for the DBCA, however, said the site still fell within the boundary of the conservation area and the activity posed a risk to the wildlife, which includes more than 100 species of birds.
“While the Herdsman Lake Regional Park Management Plan does not provide guidance regarding the use of aircraft, Herdsman Lake wetlands provide habitat for a significant number of fauna species with the central wetland area managed for conservation and protection,” a DBCA spokesperson said.
“The lake is notable for its birdlife that could potentially be disturbed by the frequent use of a helicopter within the park.”
Earlier this month, WAtoday revealed the billionaire had sought the city’s blessing to land his private helicopter at Herdsman, a few hundred metres from MinRes’ $130 million Osborne Park headquarters.
Nearby residents, who spoke to this masthead on the condition of anonymity, said they had heard a helicopter numerous times over the past year, but had no idea who was using it.
Ellison’s helicopter trip to Herdsman Lake in July 2023.Credit: Flightradar24.
A City of Stirling spokesperson said Mineral Resources first reached out regarding the “occasional” landing of a helicopter at the site in September 2023.
The city told MinRes it had no in-principle objection to the plan, subject to all other necessary approvals being in place, and advised it may require the Environment Minister’s consent.
But a review of the flight log indicates the $10 million Bell 429 GlobalRanger — registered to an entity tied to Ellison in 2023 — has landed at the site more than 30 times since June 2023.
And that includes at least eight landings in the months before the city claims to have been consulted.
Mineral Resources had previously told this masthead the company had consulted both the city and the Horse and Pony Club about the landings.
But it did not answer questions regarding the timeline discrepancy or who issued permission.
The city refused to reveal who gave the final tick of approval and what steps had been taken to address the DBCA’s concerns, arguing it was for the state-run agency to enforce the regulations.
There is no suggestion that Ellison has breached any law.
While the site is subject to the Herdsman Lake Regional Management Plan, it is not governed by the conservation act, meaning neither the DBCA nor the Environment Minister have legislative power over it and there is no requirement for ministerial consent or approval of such activities.
While the majority of the reserve is protected under strict conservation laws (green), a small portion at the northernmost point (yellow section 6) is exempt.Credit: Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
In a statement released to WAtoday, Perth Horse and Pony Club and its committee confirmed it had no authority to grant or deny any activities or events on the site, but its request for fair warning of planned landings had been complied with.
The club also clarified it had never received any perks for the arrangement.
A spokesperson for MinRes said the company had not received any correspondence from the DBCA regarding the matter, but operated under best practice guidelines, including in relation to noise abatement.
A comprehensive review of the aircraft’s flight log by this masthead shows most of Ellison’s trips have been between Herdsman, Fremantle Port and Eagle Bay, where Ellison owns a $3.2 million oceanside holiday home which features a grassed helipad.
The peak-hour commute is understood to be quicker than if Ellison were travelling by car from his sprawling riverfront Mosman Park mansion.
MinRes declined to be drawn on why the helicopter was necessary or whether there were any plans to make a helipad a permanent feature at the Osborne Park office.
The Herdsman Lake Wildlife Centre and the WA Gould League have been contacted for comment.
Member for Churchlands Christine Tonkin also declined to answer questions.
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