Airport bids to reclassify golf course
Wellington International Airport is attempting to reclassify its newly acquired golf course as airport land, a big step forward in their plan to expand.
Amid other designation changes, the airport wants to reclassify 15.6 hectares of land previously owned by the Miramar Golf Club as land which can be used for airport purposes.
This is the latest instalment in a years-long saga for the airport in its plan to expand, with an increase in noise and carbon emissions facing off against the potential for growth in income and tourism for the region.
Over the next three days an independent commission will hear all sides of the argument to reclassify the land to allow it to be used for airport business, and make recommendations to the airport on how to proceed.
But ultimately the airport, as the ‘‘requiring authority’’ for the area – that is, a body who makes decisions on how land is allowed to be used under the Resource Management Act (RMA) – has the final word.
According to plans on the airport’s website, expansion would include enlarging the terminal, adding more runway and additional aircraft parking areas, and putting in a modern fire station.
The Public Notice of Notice of Requirement for Designation shows the land in question this week would be used primarily for taxiways and parking planes.
Council resource consent team leader Bill Stevens said the biggest concern for the council was noise. Expanding the airport took it closer to residents and therefore increased noise levels.
That, he said, was one of the issues which could be directly linked to the airport, rather than the airlines which used it. Issues of climate were often front and centre in concerns around the expansion, but emissions were largely the responsibility of the airlines.
The council’s recommendation would be that the redesignation of the land on the east side – formerly the golf club – be withdrawn unless noise concerns and climate change concerns could be addressed.
The hearing will run for up to three days from today.
Members of the public and council will make submissions and experts will give evidence.
After the commission gives its recommendations, the airport will have 30 days to make a decision on whether it will follow them.
Should the outcome be contested by any party involved it
will be bumped up the ladder to the Environment Court – as long as the contestant has the money to fund the hearing.
Compared with New Zealand’s other international airports, Wellington has a smaller footprint; 110ha compared with Auckland Airport’s 1500ha and Christchurch’s 750ha.
By 2040, the airport expects 12 million passengers to fly in and out of Wellington Airport every year – double the current number.
In opposition is local group Guardians of the Bays. Founded in 2013, it is made up of concerned residents, for whom the environment
and climate change were key.
Initially, the airport’s plan was to extend the runway north into Evans Bay, but after it was found the depth required for foundations in Evans Bay made a northern extension too difficult, the airport’s plan changed to extend the runway south into Cook Strait.
Runway aside, expanding the building is still a big part of the grand plan. The airport recently bought properties at Moa Point, and for $31 million purchased half of the Miramar golf course – a big part of the area they are now looking to rezone.