The Gold Coast Mayor Ron Clarke says he is disappointed at apparent resistance by some police to the council's favored option for a helicopter trial for the city.
The council will advertise tenders this weekend focusing on two alternatives of a piston-driven aircraft or a single turbine machine.
Assistant Police Commissioner Paul Wilson has indicated he would expect police to fly similar aircraft to those used by other Government employees.
Councillor Clarke says the council favours the smaller machine and it has no extra funds available for a more expensive option.
"We've done very well squeezing that out of the budget, we've certainly got other things we can do with the money, we think safety is a huge factor here," he said.
"We're trying to help the police as best we're able to, it's been appreciated by everybody, I thought, and we've come to an agreement as to the two helicopters we'll be getting tenders for.
"Therefore I'm astonished and surprised that senior police would make these sort of comments."
Cr Clarke says it will need to provide at least 20 hours flying time each week.
"Now if we can't get 20 hours in the air, it's up to the police themselves if they want to subsidize it, that's great," he said.
"If they want to say, 'sorry council we can't use your money it's too unsafe', even though all the major police forces in Europe and the US wear it but somehow or other in Australian conditions they don't believe it's suitable, then too bad, we've made our gesture."
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