140 have their say on jets flying into resort airport

Some of the 140 people asked for their views on the future of Wanaka Airport at consultation sessions on Monday night and yesterday morning. Photo: Mark Price
Some of the 140 people asked for their views on the future of Wanaka Airport at consultation sessions on Monday night and yesterday morning. Photo: Mark Price
Bring on the big jets to Auckland.

That was at one end of the views expressed at consultation sessions on the future of Wanaka Airport held in Wanaka on Monday night and yesterday morning.

At the other end were concerns about noise, pollution, infrastructure and congestion.

The consultation was run by the Queenstown Airport Corporation, which leases Wanaka Airport from the Queenstown Lakes District Council.

About 140 people took part, offering their views on how the airport should be developed.

The Otago Daily Times understands Air New Zealand is ready to fly jets into Wanaka, as soon as the airport's infrastructure is upgraded.

Tourist accommodation hospitality operator Matt Laming was one who believed that needed to happen sooner rather than later.

''The biggest issue is that we actually need it now and we are probably not going to get it for five to 10 years - that first phase of infrastructure and capacity capability.''

Mr Laming found the consultation process ''quite constructive'' but noted there was ''a fairly high degree of scepticism'' about whether the corporation would listen. He recognised the corporation was dealing with ''a whole lot of quite conflicting views and priorities''.

''One of the main reasons we are having this conversation is because Queenstown didn't plan for the future and now can't physically grow to meet its requirements. Let's not do that second time round.''

Most of those attending were from Wanaka, plus a small group from Luggate, which would be directly under the flight path of large jet aircraft.

Luggate Community Association chairman Graeme Perkins said the biggest fear for residents was noise.

''A lot of people were for a very environmentally sensitive airport that looks nice and does not have a lot of noise or traffic congestion.''

But, he noted a poll taken on the night showed people favouring big jets.

''You can't have no noise and no congestion and then opt for the biggest aircraft that bring in hundreds of people.''

Former deputy mayor Lyal Cocks said the corporation needed to produce a master plan the community would ''buy into''.

''To develop the airport you have to make sure you look at the impact on the town.

He suggested the corporation needed to begin talks with government agencies to ensure national funding for infrastructure was available.

Recreational pilot Shaun Gilbertson said the immediate concern was the possibility of price increases for landings and leases and also the continued use of the airport after commercial services were introduced. He said a jet service from Wanaka would require a major change to the airport.

mark.price@odt.co.nz

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