Airport’s value highlighted in report

Key organisations, including Ka¯ piti’s many residential care homes, will have a chance to consider the value of Kapiti Coast Airport during civil emergencies.

Regional mayors last week released the Wellington Region Earthquake Plan for consultation, with the airport’s value highlighted in the report.

The plan sees a requirement for the airport, in collaboration with national and regional civil emergency authorities, to be prepared to establish a national or regional assembly area at Kapiti Coast Airport.

Depending on the reports back on the status of the region’s airports after a major incident, an Aviation Emergency Operations Centre would be located at either Wellington or Kapiti airports.

“The timing of this release could not have been better,” Ka¯ piti mayor K Gurunathan said.

“It comes at a time when council, on behalf of our communities, is negotiating to support a new airline to operate out of Kapiti Coast Airport.

“Ka¯ piti residents have to understand our local airport is a strategically important asset not only for us in Ka¯ piti but also for the whole Wellington region,” he said.

“I know there are detractors who believe council should not be supporting a private company like Air Chathams.

“The flip side to that is the logic that the more commercially successful the airport is, the more sustainable it will be to meet its role in providing resilience to the district during civil emergencies.”

Consultation would be carried out with government agencies, private and public health providers, pharmacies, lifeline utility companies, retirement homes and aged care centres, disability support services, and response teams like the Red Cross and others.