Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips has called for Shoalhaven City Council to support the erection of a replacement ‘Chopper on a Stick’ in its original location at Nowra’s northern gateway.

The UH-1B Iroquois (Huey) Helicopter welcomed people to Nowra for more than 20 years and was removed from its long-standing display site in September 2023.

It will be replaced by a full-sized replica MH-60R Seahawk (Romeo) helicopter, which represents the Royal Australian Navy’s current chopper fleet based at HMAS Albatross. 

Mrs Phillips is urging council to get behind the project and assist with returning the ‘Chopper on a Stick’ to its original location.

She said the Defence-funded replica Seahawk was ready to proceed to the next stage, however council was holding up the installation.

“The chopper needs to be returned to its original location at the key Nowra gateway site, and council needs to assist with that process,” Mrs Phillips said.

“I have heard every excuse under the sun from council why the ‘Chopper on a Stick’ can’t be returned to its original location – from it being a driver distraction to being too big for the site. That’s just baloney - if you can have a 17-story hotel at the Nowra gateway, I’m pretty sure the ‘Chopper on a Stick’ fits the mould.”

Mrs Phillips said it was planned to erect the replica Seahawk in a banking turn position which would reduce its footprint size and, because it was a replica, the size and scale could be adjusted if required.

“Nowra is a proud Defence town, home to the Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm at HMAS Albatross. It is the only naval air station in Australia and its significance here locally and across the nation is profound,” she said.

“Gilmore is proudly home to 5,775 veterans and we have more than 7,500 serving members. The Defence and Defence industry supports thousands of jobs and also supports local families who go to our local schools, partners who work locally and families who contribute to our local way of life and community.”

The Albanese Labor Government has provided Shoalhaven City Council with $5 million to develop the masterplan for the long-awaited Shoalhaven Riverfront revitalisation project.

“The masterplan includes the Nowra gateway, so it’s only proper and fitting that council supports and assists with the return of the new ‘Chopper on a Stick’ to its original location,” Mrs Phillips said.

“It’s vital that we get the chopper back on that stick, in its original location, as soon as possible, because that’s what our community expects.

“People know what the iconic landmark means to our town and desperately want the riverfront and gateway precinct to be upgraded - including the chopper.

“Council needs to urgently step up and facilitate the erection of our much-loved ‘Chopper on a Stick’ to its original location,” Mrs Phillips concluded.