New runway part of $60m air base makeover

The runway, built in 1937, has an asphalt surface which has broken up. Photo / Dean Purcell

The 70-year-old runway at Whenuapai Air Force Base is to be rebuilt as part of $60 million of works needed to make the base fully operational.

The work was approved yesterday by the Government in a long promised reversal of the Labour Government's move to consolidate all Air Force operations at Ohakea in the Manawatu.

Defence Minister Wayne Mapp said the Cabinet confirmed keeping Whenuapai after considering a detailed report on what work was needed and what other options there were.

He said having two operational bases was preferable to one congested location and taking the maritime Orion aircraft and the Seasprite helicopters away from the Navy's Devonport base.

He said the work aimed to future-proof the West Auckland base for several decades.

"About a thousand people work at Whenuapai. This means their jobs are safe and maintains the Air Force's high visibility in the Auckland region."

About $44 million of the programme would be spent on the runway and the rest on improving workshop and fuel storage facilities.

Dr Mapp said the runway was built in 1937 with massive hexagonal concrete blocks.

"They are on a soft surface and they have moved and broken up the asphalt surface. The works plan is to use them as foundation and pour a concrete skin nearly 1m thick on top. On top of that will go a thin layer of asphalt just like at all airfields."

Dr Mapp said Cabinet decided to go for a permanent solution rather than a patch up job which would last about a decade.

He said some of the $44 million would be spent on the hard standing area, or the apron, which was not being used because the surface had broken up.

Dr Mapp said the three-year project would be welcomed by contractors and reflected the Government's wish to invest in infrastructure to help take the edge off the recession and prepare the economy for growth. Whenuapai would not have scheduled air services.

Promoter of the controversial bid to have commercial flights, Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey, last night welcomed news of the base upgrade and the jobs it would create.

"It's fantastic ... the Air Force is a huge part of this community."

His council never wanted the Air Force to leave for Ohakea. It had just wanted to preserve the base as a vital piece of infrastructure with potential to create economic activity and jobs.