KAPITI AIRPORT Projects
A $450 million redevelopment of Paraparaumu Airport has finally been given the go-ahead, paving the way for a business park and Air New Zealand flights to Auckland and Christchurch within a year.
The Environment Court has given the green light to the long-awaited development, after decades of uncertainty and frustration.
The interim approval of Plan Change 73 was granted yesterday by Judge Brian Dwyer and environment commissioners John Mills and Helen Beaumont, meaning work can begin almost immediately.
The decision upheld a previous ruling by independent commissioners last year, but ruled that aircraft noise concerns had to be handled within 15 days.
The Paraparaumu Airport Coalition, which opposed the development, had estimated it would cost more than $10 million to minimise effects of noise on more than 350 nearby houses. Developers expect to solve those problems within days.
Appeals lodged by the coalition, Bernard Cammack and Ann Evans, Paraparaumu Airport Coalition and local iwi Te Whanau a Te Ngarara were declined.
Paraparaumu Airport owner Noel Robinson said he planned to start work this month on upgrading the airport, with new flights starting within a year.
"The community now has an opportunity to participate in the development of a vibrant infrastructure asset serving the needs of the Kapiti region."
Paraparaumu Airport Ltd chairman Sir John Goulter said the decision was great news for the community.
"It is especially pleasing that the court has chosen to make only minor changes to the plans approved by the council in 2008.
"The main priority now is to establish a terminal and reseal the main runway, including some levelling work, as a precursor to Air New Zealand commencing regular flights to and from Paraparaumu."
Kapiti Mayor Jenny Rowan welcomed the decision. "I am delighted ... Now the owners can get on and provide us with a regional airport and huge economic growth," she said.
Kapiti Coast District Council received 1319 submissions on Paraparaumu Airport Holdings' business park and airport development plan 900 in opposition, 100 in support, and the remainder making various suggestions, before the three appeals were lodged with the Environment Court.
The plan includes extending the main runway, shifting and shortening the east-west runway, and creating an industrial park on the 127-hectare site.
THE STORY SO FAR
* Crown acquires the airport in 1939 under the Public Works Act for aviation purposes in World War II.
* In 1995, the 131-hectare block of land was sold to businessman Murray Cole for $1.65 million.
* Te Whanau a te Ngarara, acting for the original Maori and non-Maori landowners, battles for compensation believing the land should have been offered back under the Public Works Act.
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* In 2004 a parliamentary select committee called for a government inquiry into the sale. An auditor-general's inquiry found the sale process flawed but the price reasonable.
* In 2006, Paraparaumu Airport Holdings bought the airport for "well under $40m" and announced plans for a 30-year development.
* In 2008 Kapiti Coast District Council approves the redevelopment application.
* Paraparaumu Airport Coalition, which opposed the plans, filed an appeal to the Environment Court.
* The Environment Court has now given the redevelopment the green light.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/2833160/450m-Paraparaumu-Airport-project-lifts-off
A $450 million redevelopment of Paraparaumu Airport has finally been given the go-ahead, paving the way for a business park and Air New Zealand flights to Auckland and Christchurch within a year.
The Environment Court has given the green light to the long-awaited development, after decades of uncertainty and frustration.
The interim approval of Plan Change 73 was granted yesterday by Judge Brian Dwyer and environment commissioners John Mills and Helen Beaumont, meaning work can begin almost immediately.
The decision upheld a previous ruling by independent commissioners last year, but ruled that aircraft noise concerns had to be handled within 15 days.
The Paraparaumu Airport Coalition, which opposed the development, had estimated it would cost more than $10 million to minimise effects of noise on more than 350 nearby houses. Developers expect to solve those problems within days.
Appeals lodged by the coalition, Bernard Cammack and Ann Evans, Paraparaumu Airport Coalition and local iwi Te Whanau a Te Ngarara were declined.
Paraparaumu Airport owner Noel Robinson said he planned to start work this month on upgrading the airport, with new flights starting within a year.
"The community now has an opportunity to participate in the development of a vibrant infrastructure asset serving the needs of the Kapiti region."
Paraparaumu Airport Ltd chairman Sir John Goulter said the decision was great news for the community.
"It is especially pleasing that the court has chosen to make only minor changes to the plans approved by the council in 2008.
"The main priority now is to establish a terminal and reseal the main runway, including some levelling work, as a precursor to Air New Zealand commencing regular flights to and from Paraparaumu."
Kapiti Mayor Jenny Rowan welcomed the decision. "I am delighted ... Now the owners can get on and provide us with a regional airport and huge economic growth," she said.
Kapiti Coast District Council received 1319 submissions on Paraparaumu Airport Holdings' business park and airport development plan 900 in opposition, 100 in support, and the remainder making various suggestions, before the three appeals were lodged with the Environment Court.
The plan includes extending the main runway, shifting and shortening the east-west runway, and creating an industrial park on the 127-hectare site.
THE STORY SO FAR
* Crown acquires the airport in 1939 under the Public Works Act for aviation purposes in World War II.
* In 1995, the 131-hectare block of land was sold to businessman Murray Cole for $1.65 million.
* Te Whanau a te Ngarara, acting for the original Maori and non-Maori landowners, battles for compensation believing the land should have been offered back under the Public Works Act.
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* In 2004 a parliamentary select committee called for a government inquiry into the sale. An auditor-general's inquiry found the sale process flawed but the price reasonable.
* In 2006, Paraparaumu Airport Holdings bought the airport for "well under $40m" and announced plans for a 30-year development.
* In 2008 Kapiti Coast District Council approves the redevelopment application.
* Paraparaumu Airport Coalition, which opposed the plans, filed an appeal to the Environment Court.
* The Environment Court has now given the redevelopment the green light.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/2833160/450m-Paraparaumu-Airport-project-lifts-off