Battle over fate of Whenuapai Airbase

By STUART DYE

Battle lines have been drawn and increasingly hostile shots are being fired as a decision on the future of Whenuapai Airbase looms closer.

The Cabinet is expected to decide in April what to do with the 311ha site when the Air Force moves out in the next five years.

Supporters of a new commercial airport, led by Waitakere City Council, say it will be a massive boost for the area.

But residents say their idyllic lifestyles will be destroyed by such a proposition.

The arguments have become more heated recently. Opponents of the airport plan have described Waitakere's research as inadequate, lacking consultation and "probably in breach of the Local Government Act".

Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey countered that opponents have been "grossly exaggerating" the impacts of an airport, ignoring the fact that there is already one there and that "they voluntarily moved in next door to it".

People who say their lifestyles are jeopardised by the proposal are residents in Greenhithe, Whenuapai, Herald Island and Paremoremo.

Ratepayers groups in each of the areas have made submissions to the New Zealand Defence Force in the hope of swaying decision-makers in their favour.

Graeme Ogg lives with his family in Paremoremo on a 0.6ha plot within 100m of the flight path. He moved there in 1988 to enjoy the peaceful outdoor lifestyle but says he now has to put everything on hold until a decision is made.

"We've got the life that every Kiwi aspires to and came here for that reason. Now they want to take that away from us," said Mr Ogg.

Fran Bromhead, chairwoman of Herald Island Ratepayers and Residents, says hundreds of homes are just yards from the runway.

"Nowhere else in the world will a full commercial airport operate on this basis."

The airport opponents say the site would be better used for homes or as a recreation destination. A fourth plan, for industrial use, is also under consideration.

Residents have been buoyed by the results from submissions to the New Zealand Defence Force which showed 75 per cent of people were against the airport plan.

They are now waiting for the region's city councils to make their views known.

Only Manukau has made its position clear. Mayor Sir Barry Curtis said the plan was "an expensive luxury".

There were more reasons not to develop Whenuapai as an airport than to do it, said Sir Barry.

The man behind the plan, Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey, has told his mayoral colleague to "butt out".

He says it is a selfish move to preserve the position of Manukau as the only city with a commercial airport in the region.

"I'm bloody furious with [Mayor] Curtis. Manukau is a major shareholder in Auckland International Airport and they simply want to prop up both the value of their shares and their monopolistic mates," said Mr Harvey.

Many of the heavyweights involved in the debate have already begun lobbying MPs.

The Auckland Regional Council will discuss the proposal at a meeting on Wednesday.

BATTLE LINES

FOR

Air Force shift will cause $230 million loss to economy.

Economic generator for north west of Auckland region.

Whenuapai already exists as Auckland's second airport with more than 20,000 aircraft movements a year.

Whenuapai as an airport can save the region $230 million.

Proposal represents a sound commercial model .

AGAINST:

Commercial airport would reduce property values by $155 million.

Alternative uses would be much better economic generator.

Only 5500 aircraft movements are "major" planes.

Will increase traffic problems.

Auckland Airport will be able to meet passenger growth for the next 50 years.