ROTORUA - A stand-off over kahikatea trees is holding up a proposal to extend the Rotorua Airport runway.
Progress on the proposed airport upgrade was slow, the chairman of Rotorua Regional Airport, Johnny Lepper, told the Rotorua District Council's finance committee.
He said the airport company - in which the council has a 50 per cent stake - was stuck on consultation with the owners of a stand of kahikatea in the proposed flight path of the extended runway.
The company could not make any progress until new trustees had been appointed to the White Pine Bush Trust, which was the body mandated to make a decision.
Ngati Rangiteaorere has called a hui tomorrow to replace the trustees.
Hapu member Blanche Kiriona said many of the 12 previous trustees had died and the others were either not well or wanted to stand down.
The agreed time for completing consultation on the kahikatea had originally been the end of March this year.
Mr Lepper said the company was concerned that it was now five months overdue.
Meanwhile, landing fees at Rotorua Airport could soon rise.
Mr Lepper said the airport company was discussing increased landing fees with the airlines.
It expected to have a schedule of charges by November.
The landing charges review was the first at Rotorua Airport in seven years.
- NZPA
Native tree wrangle delays Rotorua runway plans
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