The flat waters of Lakers Cutting on the Bellarine Peninsula are home to all manner of native and migratory birds. Pelicans, royal spoonbills and swans are some of the creatures that land and take off from the site and its quiet surrounds. But soon, a privately owned helicopter is set to be soaring among them too. Despite fierce resistance from community groups and individuals on the peninsula, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal recently approved an application by a property owner to host a helicopter landing site on his land at Queenscliff beside the waterway. Lakers Cutting feeds into Swan Bay, which is listed in the Ramsar Convention’s directory of wetlands of international significance, although that declaration does not apply to Lakers Cutting itself. But many local residents were still dismayed by the tribunal’s decision to approve the helicopter landing site within metres of the marine environment. They fear the decision will set a precedent allowing for similar permit applications in future.