Queensland

Neill Wagner fined for landing helicopter at Downey Park

One of Queensland's richest men has been slapped with a $1000 fine for landing his chopper in a Brisbane park.

Millionaire Neill Wagner faced Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday after being charged by the Brisbane City Council with undertaking a prohibited activity.

Millionaire Neill Wagner diverted to a nearby park when he discovered he couldn't land on a field at Ballymore.
Millionaire Neill Wagner diverted to a nearby park when he discovered he couldn't land on a field at Ballymore. 

The charge related to an incident in which Mr Wagner, one of four brothers in a family that owns a multimillion-dollar Toowoomba-based construction company and an airport, landed his helicopter at Downey Park, in March 2015.

The court heard Mr Wagner was told to land immediately by air traffic control and given permission but when he got to the spare field at Ballymore, in Brisbane's inner-north, there were people on it so he made the decision to land at the nearby park instead.

Neill Wagner's business empire includes an airport.
Neill Wagner's business empire includes an airport. Photo: Robert Rough RNR

The businessman pleaded guilty to the charge and was fined $1000 plus $845 in court costs.

He did not speak to waiting media as he left the court precinct.

AAP

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