Fees increase worries club
‘‘ We’re not millionaires, we are just everyday people.’’
Shane Fleming
Club president
A council- proposed increase in landing fees at Tākaka Aerodrome has Golden Bay aviation enthusiasts warning that they may move their planes off the aerodrome and onto private airstrips.
Landing fees are to be “significantly increased” at the aerodrome, the Tasman District Council confirmed in response to questions from Stuff.
The council did not specify what the landing fee, which is currently $ 10, would increase to, but Golden Bay Flying Club secretary Murray Bensemann said he understood that it was to double.
Club president Shane Fleming said members were concerned about potential increases.
“People have the impression that if you fly you’ve got heaps of money, but it’s like any hobby, if it’s something that you love doing, you try and put every spare penny you’ve got to do it.
“There’s not extra money lying around.
‘‘ We’re not millionaires, we are just everyday people.”
Bensemann said if fees increased significantly, members may switch to using private airstrips instead.
The aerodrome was built by volunteer labour, much of it by members who were in the cement works before it closed in 1978, he said.
“The council thinks she is a cash cow, but she’s not,” Bensemann said.
“They’re trying to make a million dollars out of nothing.”
Council communications officer Darryn Palmer said the landing fees were benchmarked across a number of airports and they reflected the costs associated.
Changes proposed to the fees and charges for 2024-25 year included the landing fees increase, and a “change in the modelling”.
The public could consult during the submission process, and the council would inform users when the process was opened to the public, Palmer said.
Other changes are also afoot in the area around the aerodrome.
The council said in a statement that a neighbouring farm, previously owned by Luke Jacobsen, had been sold to a Canterbury- based owner.
The syndicate that had bought the farm believed they could “build hangars and access airfield”.
This would require consents and access to be approved by the aerodrome operator, the council said.
Asked if any consents had been lodged, the council said there were “none showing in our system”.
In 2022, urgent repairs were undertaken on the aerodrome after it was damaged by heavy rain.
At the time funds were allocated towards repairs, councillor Barry Dowler said it had become a “very major asset” for Golden Bay when the Tākaka Hill section of State Highway 60 closed after ex- Tropical Cyclone Gita.
Group finance manager Mike Drummond, speaking in 2022, said the aerodrome required a general rates contribution each year because the volume of traffic didn’t generate sufficient charges to cover operating costs.