Court dismisses airport appeal

Queenstown Airport is a step closer to acquiring expansion land after the High Court dismissed an appeal by landowner Remarkables Park.

In 2008 the airport moved to purchase the land as a compulsory acquisition.

However, landowner Remarkables Park opposed the expansion bid on its ‘‘priceless’’ land and the battle was referred directly to the Environment Court.

Since then it has been subject to numerous decisions and appeals.

The High Court decision released by Justice Nation yesterday said Remarkables Park Ltd failed to establish that there was any error of law in the final decision of the Environment Court.

‘‘That has been reflected in my answer to all the questions of law which it argued arose with this appeal. The appeal is accordingly dismissed.’’

Queenstown Airport chief executive Colin Keel was unavailable for comment but released a brief statement that the organisation was ‘‘very pleased with the comprehensive decision from the High Court.

‘‘We look forward to progressing and resolving the matter as quickly as possible.’’

The airport has argued it needs the land to expand and in a Master Plan released last year indicated it could be used for parking helicopters, planes and private jets.

According to the High Court decision Remarkables Park Ltd argued in the appeal that the Master Plan should have been admitted as new evidence as it suggested new uses for the land.

However, Justice Nation said that he did not consider it demonstrated there was a factual error in the Environment Court.

‘‘Even if it did, this would not constitute special reason to admit it on an appeal limited to a question of law.’’

Therefore the application to admit the document as evidence on the appeal was denied.

Remarkables Park co-managing director Alastair Porter could not be contacted for comment.