Government should have been told about airport plans, says MP

Rotorua MP Steve Chadwick says Rotorua District Council should have talked to the Government before planning to introduce transtasman flights out of Rotorua.


Local body politicians throughout Bay of Plenty are furious at plans for a massive hike in charges for new international airports, charges which could prevent Rotorua airport from having transtasman flights.

One of the proposals to fund extra security costs could result in passengers flying out of Rotorua paying up to $120 for security clearance, despite Auckland only charging passengers $8.

But Mrs Chadwick says the council should have talked to the Government earlier about its plans.

In a letter to mayor Kevin Winters, Mrs Chadwick has said it would have been "advisable" for the council and those involved with the airport extension to have consulted the Government. She also urged the council to talk to the public before making any further decisions.

Mrs Chadwick said later she supported plans to upgrade the airport terminal and runway at Rotorua to make it a better regional facility. But somewhere along the way the idea had ballooned into it becoming an international airport.

"Rotorua needs to take a breath and a step back."

The council has begun work on consulting the public, with formal consultation due to begin next month.

Because the council is the airport's sole shareholder, independent commissioners have been appointed to hear submissions. If the proposal is approved, the airport would be able to lengthen the runway to the south and further restrict the height of buildings and trees around the airport to allow for bigger planes.

Final approval, which is expected to take months and at least two rounds of consultation, would open the way for the airport to become international.

- NZPA