The community group opposing an airport at Tarras is preparing for a costly battle as the project moves towards a consent application phase.
Sustainable Tarras spokeswoman Marilyn Duxson yesterday said the group was "pretty disappointed" to see Christchurch Airport Ltd move ahead with its plans to take the project to the consent applications phase next year, but also "not surprised".
Ms Duxson said there was a chance the case could end up in the Environment Court, where the group was prepared to take on the "millions of dollars in lawyers" the airport would have behind them if necessary.
"We’ll be working with volunteers and as much money as we can raise," she said.
"We’ve got people with a lot of experience, so we’ll fight them as much as we can and hope to get as many people together as we can from various parts of Central Otago.
"It’s not going to make our next few years pleasant."
Ms Duxson emphasised the need for the region to focus on restraining visitor numbers, and offered Queenstown Airport Corporation faint praise for its efforts to work with the community on the issue.
"Queenstown is right on track to increase its numbers substantially over 10 years — but it has taken a great deal of trouble to consult with its communities and it hasn’t expanded as much as it could potentially."
"Queenstown Airport has room to expand significantly but we have listened to community feedback and committed to operate within the existing air noise boundaries," he said.
"Before consideration of a new long-haul jet-capable airport, it would make sense to consider the potential at the three other existing airports in the lower South Island — Wānaka, Invercargill and Dunedin."
Central Otago District Mayor Tim Cadogan declined public comment on the proposal, due to the council’s potential role as consenting authority for the airport should an application be made.
Most of the people contacted yesterday were either neutral or not in favour of an airport in Tarras.
A representative of community group Wānaka Stakeholders Group Inc said they had recently surveyed their members for their thoughts on the proposed airport, and were in the process of analysing the results.
A similar survey conducted by the group in 2021 found 74% of respondents were opposed to an airport at Tarras.
One Tarras resident, who asked to remain anonymous over concerns of harassment, said they had attended Christchurch Airport’s local drop-in session and were in favour of the plans.
"I had been on the fence and that, but I think it’s good. They’re looking to the future.
"If they aren’t building an airport here, they’ll be building housing."
