Skies to go quiet over Whenuapai

By FRANCESCA MOLD and ANNE BESTON

The Government has confirmed that it will close Whenuapai airbase and move the entire Air Force to Ohakea, in the Manawatu.

Defence Minister Mark Burton yesterday ended years of speculation about the West Auckland base by announcing the Air Force would "consolidate" its operations at Ohakea within the next five years.

It was possible there would be some job losses as a result of the move, but they were likely to be existing vacancies that would not be filled.

Mr Burton said officials would prepare a proposal for the disposal of the 280ha site at Whenuapai by the middle of next year. Real estate sources have estimated that the land could fetch about $75 million from a developer. It has been suggested the base could become Auckland's second-string civilian airport but aviation sources have expressed doubts about the idea, saying the runway was too weak and short to take Boeing 747 or 767 aircraft.

Mr Burton said options included the disposal of the land as an "air-landing capability subdivision" but there was detail to look into, including zoning.

The idea of Whenuapai becoming a commercial airport attracted a mixed reaction yesterday.

Greenhithe resident Roger Blackburn said he was part of an informal lobby group that would make sure the Government understood local residents did not want a civilian airport at Whenuapai.

"You just don't put a commercial airport in the middle of populated areas, it's just not done," he said.

Mr Blackburn said development was a much better option. "According to the Auckland regional growth strategy, the city is crying out for places for more housing and light industry, I would have thought they would leap at the chance to get an area that is well connected to existing transport routes."

Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey has estimated the city would lose $60 million a year as a result of the Air Force relocating.

But Mr Blackburn said that money could be made up in rates if Whenuapai was turned into a housing and light industrial area.

Former North Shore Mayor George Gair said Auckland's growing population meant a second commercial airport would be needed eventually. Noise controls could be imposed to lessen the impact on residents.

"It has to be kept as an airport, the moment it is turned into anything else, it is lost forever," he said. "People chose to live there and it's been an airport for a very long time. We might not need it right this minute but we will need it."

A group of retired New Zealand bomber pilots also want the airbase retained. Former World War II bomber pilot John Barton said turning Whenuapai into a housing development would be "disastrous".

"Whether it's a fisherman who needs assistance or boat people, virtually everything comes from the north, I can't see them going anywhere near Ohakea."

If Auckland International Airport was out of action for any reason, the city would desperately need an alternative, he said.

National's defence spokesman Richard Worth said he was concerned the public had not had the chance to debate the future of the airbase. It was a significant decision that would have substantial economic impacts.

Mr Burton said the decision to move the Air Force to Ohakea would bring the bulk of the country's defence forces into a central location.

It would bring airlift and support closer to Army bases at Linton and Waiouru.

The consolidation would also reduce administration costs and overheads from running two facilities in the North Island.

A $20 million project to upgrade the runway at Ohakea is already under way so that the facility can cope with the extra traffic.

The Government indicated yesterday that it was willing to discuss the possibility of developing an air cargo hub at Ohakea, which would operate alongside the military base.

Mr Burton said he was confident such a proposal would be sustainable and his officials would work with local groups as soon as any proposal was put forward.

Herald feature: Defence