However, unwilling seller Remarkables Park wants the land for an estimated 45ha, multimillion-dollar "generous nine-hole golf course with a driving range", available for public use, director Alastair Porter said yesterday.
Queenstown Airport Corporation (QAC) chief executive Steve Sanderson told the Otago Daily Times this week it was "by no means a surprise" QAC wanted to move its fixed-wing general aviation, helicopters and corporate area to "lot 6", south-side of the runway, as part of its masterplan up to 2037.
The proposed move featured in the corporation's 2009 annual report.
Relocation allowed the extension of the terminal building, jet stands, car parking and rental parking where the general aviation and helicopters were now, Mr Sanderson said.
"We've been talking to Remarkables Park about where the airport could succeed in developing this general aviation park, plus have the least impact on Remarkables Park and their development aspirations."
Mr Sanderson said there was very limited terminal-side land available and the terminal building was exceeding its peak hourly capacity at certain times of the year.
Operators had been against an earlier masterplan to relocate them to the north-side of the runway, as it would expose hangars to southerly wind, create congestion and cross-traffic on the main runway.
A south-side aviation park would improve flight paths for helicopters and access for general aviation.
South-side would move aviation noise away from Frankton residences.
"Feedback from our users is they all want to expand their facilities and want new hangers," Mr Sanderson said.
Corporate jet parking was constrained and it was not uncommon for corporate jets to drop off guests in Queenstown, then fly to Invercargill Airport to park due to lack of space.
"Car parking and rental car parking is very constrained and people notice the number of rental cars that are parked outside the airport. People want to bring all the businesses on to the airport grounds."
When asked for his response to the airport's reasons for a south-side aviation park, Mr Porter said yesterday the matter was to be dealt with by the Environment Court and he did not think he was entitled to discuss the case through the media.
"All the points they make are simply their points of view and not agreed to by our equally competent international aviation consultant," he said.
Once the airport finished its use of the nearby unsealed road for runway end safety area (Resa) construction vehicles, and if the airport lifted its notice of requirement, development of the proposed golf course could begin this spring, at the latest, he said.
The course could be open in spring, 2012.
Land bid background
• Through the Environmental Protection Authority, Minister for the Environment Dr Nick Smith said this week an application by QAC to extend the airport was "nationally significant" and directed the matter to the Environment Court.
• QAC development of the new aviation park would be rolled out over 10 to 15 years. Relocation would begin as soon as the land was available.
• Discussions with Remarkables Park Ltd reduced the land area desired from 27ha to a narrower rectangular strip of 19.1ha.
• The airport said rough capital expenditure numbers had been worked out. Development would be paid for by ground leases, or by constructing the buildings and leasing them back to the operators.
• QAC said if successful, the Environment Court process would run parallel with Public Works Act process and a Land Valuation Tribunal would set the commercial price for the land. The corporation had valuations for the land, but QAC declined to give a figure as it was "commercially sensitive at this time".
