QAC report recognises competition

QUEENSTOWN

QUEENSTOWN Airport has conceded a new international airport at Tarras would be competition and would affect operations in the Wakatipu.

A report to the Queenstown Lakes District Council includes Queenstown Airport Corporation’s first official response to the proposed development by Christchurch Airport.

A ‘‘statement of expectations’’, which ruled out widebodied jets for Queenstown or Wanaka airports, goes before councillors on Thursday.

The document, prepared by a working group including elected members and airport representatives, was signed by Mayor Jim Boult.

The annual report is produced by the councilcontrolled trading organisation — of which the council owns 75.01% — and sets its strategic direction for a threeyear period, but is reviewed annually.

It is next due to be considered by the council in June.

The last report, referred to as its statement of intent (SOI), was finally approved by the council in October, following protracted discussions.

Regarding the ‘‘position on proposed Tarras Airport’’, the document said moves by Christchurch International Airport Ltd to buy land for the development of an international airport at Tarras presented, ‘‘in the shareholders’ opinion’’, potential new competition.

‘‘It is conceivable that this proposal could impact the QAC and it is, therefore, our expectation that QAC’s strategic planning will reflect the need to understand and plan for any activity created by the Tarras proposal.’’

The document said the airport would protect the operational and financial position of the company within the frameworks of the Commerce Act.

Airport noise boundaries were also addressed — those were a ‘‘significant matter’’ for the community, ‘‘particularly and understandably, those close to Queenstown and Wanaka airports’’.

While the operational risk of being constrained by air noise boundaries had receded due to Covid19, the airport company needed to actively plan to operate within existing air noise boundaries, by ‘‘maximising technology and management practices’’, within the term of the proposed SOI.

Other matters addressed included land acquisition or disposal, climate action and strategic planning.

Regarding the latter, it was expected the strategic plan would address the ‘‘longterm future role, scale and operational nature of QAC with an emphasis on the district’s wellbeing’’.

‘‘QLDC expects the proposed strategic plan will reinforce QAC’s commitment to proactively engage the council on the draft plan before any final endorsement by the QAC board.’’

Under the heading ‘‘SOI General expectation’’ the document states the council expects to receive a ‘‘more succinct SOI that explicitly outlines the QAC intent for the next three years and beyond’’.