KEY POINTS:
Public views on whether the Whenuapai airbase should be reserved for commercial aviation will be heard by independent commissioners late this year.
Waitakere City councillors yesterday decided independents would avoid claims of bias in the task of hearing thousands of submissions.
Other options were to have councillors sit in judgment or have a mix of councillors and a majority of independent commissioners.
The council has received about 2800 submissions on its proposed District Plan Change 22, which proposes to create an airport special area zone.
This is aimed at preserving the airbase, which the Air Force plans to vacate in a decade, for commercial airport activities that will provide employment.
The council says that although it is up to the Government to decide use of its land, the council is responsible for managing natural and physical resources within its boundaries.
Neighbouring North Shore City Council opposes any airport because its residents will be in the flight path and demanded a hearing by independent commissioners.
Concern was raised over a potential conflict of interest because of the Waitakere council's joint venture agreement with investor Infratil for a commercial airport.
Yesterday, Waitakere planning chairman Vanessa Neeson heeded those calls, saying councillors usually decided on district plan changes that affect only Waitakere residents.
"But this particular plan change has a much wider effect because there are people affected in North Shore city.
"My view is that to be seen to be objective we need to have independent commissioners. We don't want the perception that we are not listening."
Mrs Neeson noted that only the council could make decisions on district plan changes.
"However, the commissioners make their recommendations to the council after hearing all the evidence.
"There are some pretty strong views either for and against and a lot of technical knowledge is needed."
Mrs Neeson said the hearing would probably be held as late in the year as November.
The huge number of submissions was a challenge to staff, who had to summarise and categorise each one. The hearing date would depend on when independent commissioners were available for at least a week.
North Shore City Council councillor Callum Blair, who campaigned against a Whenuapai commercial airport in last October's elections, said: "I'm pleased Waitakere has accepted the need for a transparent process by deciding on independent commissioners. This has both a regional and national impact and must be judged on the facts."
Whenuapai Airbase Action group chairman Russell Stewart said it was a move in the right direction. "At least we will get an answer that is truly independent."
Mr Stewart, who was at the meeting, said the question was raised of what if the council disregarded an independent recommendation.
It might be legal, but would not be "a good look," he said.
