Tensions rise at meeting for drone test proposal
Backlash against a proposed restricted area for commercial drone testing at a Central Otago airport became so heated a public meeting turned into a verbal ‘‘punchup’’.
Skybase chief executive Michael Read was unable to complete a presentation outlining his hopes to test unmanned aircraft beyond line of sight from Alexandra airport for commercial use.
The consultation meeting in Alexandra on Tuesday was facilitated by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and attended by about 100 industry representatives and landowners.
CAA rules state the testing must be done within restricted airspace to ensure safety.
The proposal to restrict the Central Otago airspace spans 565 square kilometres from Alexandra to Wedderburn and Gimmerburn.
Read told the crowd they would go elsewhere if there was too much push-back – which was met by a round of applause.
‘‘We are all professional aviators. We understand the need for access to airspace and we want to work with you.’’
Alexandra had been chosen because it was a ‘‘gem’’ for unmanned aviation due to its ‘‘exceptionally low wind, high sunshine hours, low rainfall and generally low aircraft traffic’’.
Many argued Alexandra was the wrong place though and suggested Read take the testing to Christchurch, where similar work was already being done, or to the Australian desert.
‘‘If the testing was done in the desert in Australia it wouldn’t be a New Zealand story,’’ Read said.
‘‘This area gets used extensively by traffic that comes out of Queenstown, Wanaka and Dunedin.’’ A public meeting attendee
His claims that the Alexandra airspace had low traffic were met with a chorus of opposition.
‘‘This area gets used extensively by traffic that comes out of Queenstown, Wanaka and Dunedin,’’ one person said.
Aaron Pearce, of Flying NZ and the South Canterbury Aero Club, said one of his biggest concerns about Read’s proposal regarded the area’s wind and terrain.
‘‘The big chunk of airspace you are taking out in the right conditions is one of the only safe places to actually put a single engine or light twin.’’
CAA deputy director of general aviation Steve Moore said there was still a lot of work ahead, including an analysis of data and consideration of submissions.
Mark Hardman, of Queenstown-based paragliding school Paraventures, called for the CAA to extend the deadline for submissions so Read could work through solutions with industry representatives.
‘‘I suspect you are going to have every man and his dog submitting against the proposal. Would you consider extending the deadline to try and work through the process ... to come up with solutions rather than having a big punchup here?’’ The New Zealand Government could be potential buyers of the Christchurch villa where Kate Sheppard ran her suffrage campaign.
The Ilam villa, which was built in 1888 and was Sheppard’s home for 15 years, has been valued at $3.15 million.
After 33 years owing the historic property, Julia Burbury, 70, put the house on the market.
‘‘This house has been a 33 year-long labour of love,’’ she said.
‘‘I’ve truly loved it but it’s now time to pass the baton on.’’
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Tuesday the Government was interested in making an offer on the home with the thought of preserving the historic property.
‘‘I know there have been