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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2024
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X-tensions end of year concert ‘Dance Dance Dance’ was a theatrical performance that attracted its biggest audience since its inception 24 years ago. Dancers DANZ Dance teacher Sicely Kennedy said the Saturday morning show sold out and the evening show was three tickets from also selling out - with more than 600 people attending. Pictured (left photo) is Olivia Prentice, part of the preschool dance group, performing to the song Dance Myself to Sleep, and on the right is Annabelle delight Radcliffe pulling out her best jazz moves to Puttin’ on the Ritz. More pictures: PAGE 8. Picture: NICOLE CLEARY 241131kh31/35
Britnell: two years too long for helipad closure
GABRIEL GARCIA
“THE time for excuses is over.”
These are the words spoken to State Parliament by Member for South-West Coast Roma Britnell who last week again called for the helipad at Portland District Health (PDH) to be reopened. The helipad, located next to PDH was closed in December 2022 with the State Government saying it was due to safety fears. An Ambulance Victoria spokesperson said downwash by the helicopter presented a danger due to closeness of pedestrians, road traffic and hospital infrastructure to aircraft operations. Former PDH chairman and now Glenelg Shire councillor Mike Noske, who helped push for the helipad to be installed, has called the closure due to fears of downwash “an overly cautious
approach.” Currently patients needing to be airlifted are transferred to the Portland Airport, 15 minutes away from PDH, which Mr Noske said was less than ideal. “I think the added risk to patients in the extra transfer time…is not the best,” he said. “I think it’s important that it be reopened from the perspective that Portland people deserve the best options available to them.” In February of this year Ms Britnell and former Victorian Premier Denis Napthine launched a petition to re-instate the helipad. The petition garnered 1674 signatures. Ms Britnell has said failure to utilise the helipad puts the “community at risk.” “In emergencies every minute counts and lives
are at stake,” Ms Britnell said. According to Ms Britnell, current arrangements weren’t good enough and wastes “valuable time and resources when patients need urgent care.” “We see other states in similar situations successfully backing their helicopter transfer services, providing necessary measures to protect helicopter contractors from legal repercussions,” Ms Britnell said. “If further safety measures are needed to restore confidence in the operations at Portland hospital, the government must step up, implement them and reopen the helipad without delay. “We need action, and we need it now. The health of our community should never be compromised due to bureaucratic hurdles.” A State Government spokesperson has said that
there has been no impact for patients due to the helipad closure. “The use of the Portland District Health helipad is currently on pause following a review, with interim patient transport arrangements in place including the use of the nearby Portland Airport to ensure no impact to patient care,” the spokesperson said. “Portland and the surrounding community will continue to receive expert and timely care provided by Ambulance Victoria and the Air Ambulance wing services.” The helipad was opened in 2015 after many years of community campaigning and fundraising. Questions regarding the helipad use were sent to PDH on Monday, however no response was received at the time of publication.
Portland RSL elects its first woman president - Page 2