... especially when they are eyeing up airfields and golf courses with lots of empty land.
This is a contribution from AOPA NZ member Bruce Govenlock, focusing in on some of the significant frustrations local pilots are experiencing in relation to his local airfield.
In 2008 the Hastings Airfield community won an Environment Court Case to stop a property developer building housing on a golf course bordering the end of the main runway.
Cue year 2025 and here we go again with the Hawkes Bay & East Coast Aero Club engaged in a Council Hearing process in opposition to a new proposal to build 170 dwellings on a second neighbouring golf course at the end of the cross runway.
This is the third developer to attempt to kickstart housing on this current site – the previous two collapsing before reaching Council hearing stage.
Once again the issues of flight path safety and noise/reverse sensitivity are significant with the developers, Council and the Aero Club all weighing in with expert evidence on these issues.
The Council planning dept review of the development proposal (a Private Plan Change application) has recommended it be declined on multiple grounds including citing significant risk of impairment to the airfield’s current and future operations, with their own independent acoustic expert advising there is significant risk of reverse sensitivity and noise complaints. Similar to the Aero Clubs own expert acoustic advice.
Also of note the Council report affirmed that the use of No Complaint Convenants as proposed by the developer are not permanent and cannot be relied upon to protect the airfield, and in any case do not remove/remedy or mitigate any of the adverse effects.
Many thanks to the AOPA NZ team spearheaded by Reuben Hansen for making a submission to the Independent Commissioner Hearing panel on this point citing legal precedent examples. This was very valuable coming as it does from a National Organisation.
The current status is the developers asked for a delay 2 weeks out from the scheduled Independent Hearing when the weight of evidence looked like a resounding defeat was likely. They have been granted a four month window to come back to the Hearing Commissioners by October to reschedule.
Meanwhile the Aero Club remains vigilant.
This article is a member contribution written by the author, and is for AOPA NZ members only (hence in the member-only section of our website). Member contributions represent the opinions of the author and not necessarily AOPA NZ. We may edit contributions down for brevity or other reasons.