Wanaka Airport Planning robust - further input invited
The Wanaka community can be assured that the Wanaka Airport Master Plan is a robust document that will result in the future proofing of the facility, Wanaka Airport manager Tim Johnston said.
“The process has been extremely thorough and the community can be very confident of that. In fact we are inviting the public to find out for themselves at a drop-in session scheduled for next week,” Mr Johnston said.
The Wanaka community had been invited to get informed ‘first-hand’ about the proposed Wanaka Airport Master Plan.
“We are holding a drop in session to take people through the master plan and the corresponding plan change,” Wanaka airport manager Tim Johnston said.
The master plan, supported by 30-year aircraft traffic forecasts, provided for both existing runway extensions and the possibility of a new alternative runway to the north to provide for future aircraft operations.
“The existing runway strip width, currently 90 metres, will be extended to 150 metres, as specified by Civil Aviation Authority runway design requirements. Only Auckland and Christchurch International Airports require a 300 metre wide strip,” Mr Johnston said.
The plan change was part of securing the long term future of the Wanaka Airport by recognising the increasing role the airport plays as part of the District’s transportation infrastructure and developing air noise control boundaries that ensure development will not impinge on future operations.
“The most likely development scenario for the airport is for this runway to be extended to the maximum available length of 1630 metres when required,” Mr Johnston said.
With the purchase of 90 hectares of new land Wanaka airport was able to provide for the option of a new runway if needed and this area is to be included in the airport designation.
“The location of the proposed future runway is shown in the master plan in its extreme north position spaced 93m from the existing runway,” he said.
There was however a total of 243 metres available for strip width should a future runway not be placed in its most northerly position shown in the master plan and this could provide the option of a 220 metres strip width required for a domestic precision approach runway.
An airspace designation is proposed which will protect both the existing and future runways, the former in its existing position (with an extension at either end) and the latter in its most northern position. The airspace designation permits the future runway to be located closer to the existing runway, should this be required.
“This means there is considerable flexibility for Wanaka Airport to determine the final placement (parallel to the existing runway) of a future runway to meet the airport layout requirements as they evolve,” Mr Johnston said.
The master plan, endorsed by QLDC and issued for public comment, received a number of submissions
The public drop-in session would be held between 3-7pm at the Wanaka Airport office on 24 October with airport planning consultants and staff available to discuss all aspects of the Wanaka Airport Master Plan, the proposed designation and district plan changes.
ENDS