Mining mogul Gina Rinehart’s proposal to install a helipad atop her company’s Perth headquarters has been turned down by local council members.

During a council meeting last night, City of Perth councillors aligned with planning officials’ advice, voting six to two against the project.

Rinehart, Australia’s wealthiest individual, intended for the helipad to accommodate a Bell 429 helicopter on the newly renovated Hancock Prospecting building in West Perth.

According to Hancock, the helipad was expected to be utilized no more than 12 times annually.

The company assured that any noise from the helicopter would be confined to brief periods during take-off and landing.

But council planning chiefs decided to oppose the application, arguing noise levels could not be eased and the helipad would impact nearby residential land.

Among the councillors who voted for a motion against the application was Lord Mayor Bruce Reynolds.

He told the meeting that Rinehart was an “amazing Australian”, but backed planners’ concerns about noise and environmental impacts.

A Hancock Prospecting spokesperson said the outcome of the meeting was disappointing and the company would consider further options.

They pointed to a telephone poll conducted by the 6PR radio station in Perth last week that showed strong public backing for the helipad proposal.

The spokesperson also restated the company’s stance that public safety would not be impacted and environmental impacts would be kept to a minimum.

“Independent technical assessments confirmed noise would not exceed existing ambient noise levels for the area, in fact, even reaching the highest current ambient noise level would occur for less than one minute per month – and only during daytime hours,” they said.

“Other expert technical reports addressing aviation safety and wind downwash confirm the helipad can operate safely and appropriately within the existing and future inner-city context.”

The spokesperson said Perth had missed an opportunity to showcase itself as a global mining and business hub, arguing other international cities had helipads.

“Rooftop helipads are commonplace in major and premier CBDs around the world including New York, London and Tokyo.”