Industrial zone planned
ROBERT STEVEN Taupo¯ airport is due for an upgrade - and a nearby commercial zone, mayor David Trewavas says.
The plans to develop the airport are one of six projects in the council’s District Economic Strengthening Plan.
The plan was released this week for public scrutiny.
Trewavas said visitors’ experience would be improved by an upgrade to Taupo¯ airport.
‘‘The airport’s been great, but it was built in the 1970, so it’s just time for an upgrade.’’
The upgrade plan includes a new terminal building with baggage facilities, an open carpark, and a larger tarmac ‘‘apron’’ for planes to manouvre and land on.
‘‘The new apron will mean we can handle corporate jets a lot easier,’’ Trewavas said.
‘‘It’s a gateway to accommodation providers like Huka Lodge, so it needs to be brought up to step.’’
A new commercial area between the airport and the ETA bypass is also Trewavas said.
‘‘It won’t be retail. I’d expect it’d appeal to transport and industrial industries.
‘‘There’s easy access to the ETA bypass there.’’
The farmland land is owned by the council and would be sold to developers with conditions around its use, he said.
The District Economic Strengthening Plan was created by council employees, led by John Ridd, in collaboration with iwi entities, Enterprise Great proposed, Lake Taupo¯ , Destination Great Lake Taupo¯ and Taupo¯ Chamber of Commerce.
Councillors voted to approve and adopt the plan at a meeting on May 29.
Trewavas said the council expected to hear back from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment in October or November on how much, if any, of the government’s Provincial Growth Fund Taupo¯ will receive for the council’s District Economic Strengthening Plan projects.