Plans to develop an events arena at the Greymouth aerodrome have upset the aero club.
The West Coast Aero Club has fired off a request to the Grey District Council for further information about the idea after it was surprised to first read in the newspaper of the council's plans for a large outdoor events area on the airport reserve.
The large event which has driven the planning in the past eight weeks has been revealed as Ag Fest West Coast, although organisers have not yet confirmed whether it will continue with the Hokitika venue or move to Greymouth.
Aero club manager Laurie Anderson said there was talk that the operation of the airstrip might be compromised for up to nine days during the event due to how it would be placed in relation to the requisite distance from the runway centre line.
The club was of the view the area was "an aerodrome reserve for aerodrome purposes" and it was concerned that any possible change of use would compromise its aviation designation.
"They haven't considered the mere fact that people won't be able to extend the hangars there.
"We're not very impressed at all,"
Mr Anderson said.
It was possible a District Plan change was needed to use the area.
It also seemed people were being "hoodwinked" that the aerodrome land was the only option when other sites were available.
Mr Anderson said the event organiser had given the aero club some information before they heard anything official from the council. Even developing the area for a one-off event would set a precedent.
"We thought it was going to be a one-off while they get Hokitika sorted out," he said.
"If you let one on there everyone would want to be there. It's bloody irresponsible."
Club secretary Peter McIntosh said they had approached the council after hearing about the proposal and were now awaiting clarification on a number of points.
"We hadn't heard anything to that point ... the first we knew about it was what we read in the Grey Star. I think the timeframe that has been adopted is probably not conducive to consulting with all parties that need to be," Mr McIntosh said.
The club understood that at this stage the events arena was a proposal.
After outlining "a range of concerns and considerations" the club was waiting to hear back from the council.
In the end they wanted to have an informed view to consider it fairly and were working with the council, he said.
The West Coast District Health Board apparently also has concerns the events area might compromise ordinary operation of the aerodrome for medical and emergency flights.
According to council documents, work on the events area began on April 28, although Mayor Tony Kokshoorn floating the idea first in the media had upset some councillors.
Mr Kokshoorn said today that while the idea was initially his, it had now progressed to a formal resolution adopted by the full council during the 2017-18 annual plan process early this month.
"We passed it through the annual plan, and part of it was consulting with the users," he said.
"I don't see any problems there so far it's progressing.
"We're doing it on the basis of this large event happening. If the large event doesn't happen and we haven't heard anything back from them currently we'll probably continue to look for a place to have events.
"Victoria Park's demise has robbed Greymouth of events that are really large economic spinners,"
Mr Kokshoorn said.
- Brendon McMahon
