THE people of Cape Gloucester, Dingo Beach and Hydeaway Bay now have a helipad nearby to be used in the case of emergencies.

The former airstrip at Cape Gloucester has been cleared to make way for the helipad.

The launch of the new air strip and helipad is the first step in the development of Cape Gloucester on land opposite the Hydeaway Bay Caravan Park.

Melbourne development company, Thalassa Property Division Pty Ltd, has bought an option over the land from the Deicke family and are planning to develop the area.

Thalassa managing director George Stathopoulis visited the land last week to launch the helipad and tell the local people about the first stages of his development plan.

He said the helipad was needed for air rescue and the flying doctor service.

Mr Stathopoulis said he was open to suggestions regarding his vision for Cape Gloucester and that he only had a draft structure plan at this stage.

The draft plan is for Hydeaway Bay and Sinclair Bay and includes an airpark similar to that approved for the Whitsunday Airport.

It also includes low-density beach villas (five dwellings per hectare), low-density eco living (five dwellings per hectare) and an eco tourist resort (40 dwellings per hectare).

The draft plan also includes road construction, a walking trail and barbecue areas.

The plan has been developed by Whitsunday surveying, design and planning company Conics.

Senior partner Tim McQuoid-Mason was at the launch of the helipad and spoke about the proposed development.

He said a vegetation study was likely to be completed within three weeks and that he expected the approval process to take at least 9-12 months.