Despite the parties' coming to an agreement on noise boundaries, witnesses will attend the Environment Court today in a hearing over Queenstown Airport noise and surrounding developments.
In the hearing's fourth day yesterday, two of the Queenstown Airport Corporation's (QAC) expert witnesses gave evidence dealing with the airport's present and forecast sound levels until 2037.
Acoustics consultant Christopher Day explained to Judge Jane Borthwick, of Christchurch, commissioner David Bunting, of Wellington, and commissioner Ross Dunlop, of Auckland, the areas surrounding the airport that would need sound insulation.
He said the appropriate noise level of a household was 40 decibels (dB) and for this to be achieved, many of the residential and visitor buildings at Remarkables Park would have to install proper sound insulation.
Buildings within the 58dB to 65dB noise contour boundary would have to "close windows" to keep noise levels at 40dB.
"New and altered buildings between 70dB and 65dBcontours (boundaries) require sound insulation and mechanical ventilation."
Parts of the existing Remarkables Park Shopping Centre would come under the 55dB noise boundary by 2037, which indicated they would not require any special sound insulation.
As announced in court earlier in the week by lawyer John Young, who was representing the Ministry of Education, a school would be constructed within the Remarkables Park development.
Mr Day advised the school should not be built within any contour area greater than 55dB.
"In my opinion, education buildings used for teaching and associated outdoor playgrounds should not be located in noise environments greater than 55dB."
On Wednesday evening an agreement was reached by the Queenstown Lakes District Council, the Queenstown Airport Corporation (QAC), Air New Zealand, Remarkables Park Ltd, Shotover Park Ltd, the Ministry of Education, and the smaller appellant Wakatipu Residents Against Airport Noise Incorporated.
Underpinning the agreement was the acceptance of the noise boundaries in QAC's airport noise management plan.
Yesterday, Wakatipu Residents Against Airport Noise Incorporated withdrew from the hearing.
