Upset airport backers cry foul to Government

Whenuapai Airbase in West Auckland. Picture / Kenny Rodger

The company behind plans to make Whenuapai Air Base a commercial airport has accused the Government of acting to support Air New Zealand after the Cabinet deferred any early sale of the base.

The Government decision means plans for a commercial airport at Whenuapai appear to have little chance of flying.

Economic Development Minister Jim Anderton said the Government had concluded there were no compelling national or strategic considerations to justify its active involvement in developing a second airport for the Auckland region.

It had also decided not to make any decision on disposing of the base at this time, Mr Anderton said.

Airport advocates initially tried to maintain a brave face, saying the Government decision would not prevent their plans if there was political willingness.

But as the full effect of the decision emerged and the lack of Government willingness became clearer, one of the main advocates of the airport plan said the Government was acting to protect its interest in Air New Zealand, which opposes the plan.

Tim Brown of the airport investment company Infratil said Air New Zealand - part-owned by the Government - had ruled out any prospect of using the airport.

"So what the Government has really said is, 'This is all terribly bloody inconvenient for our airline that we pumped a billion dollars of taxpayers money into so, tough ... for Waitakere'."

Infratil and the Waitakere City Council pushed plans for the second airport.

Promoters cited Auckland's motorway congestion as a reason for a second airport, which would allow quicker travel times for people from West Auckland and the North Shore.

Infratil and Waitakere City wanted to buy part of the base immediately and enter a joint venture with the Defence Force until it moved out.

They wanted the Government to accept that having the airport there was in the national interest so it would help pave the way for the development and approve an early and discounted sale. 

Mr Anderton said yesterday that although the Defence Force had suggested it might be out of the base by 2007, that date was now 2010 at the earliest and 2014 at the latest.

The Government wasn't prepared to make major decisions on the asset 10 years in advance, he said.

The airport land was taken under the Public Works Act, and can be retained by central or local government only if a national or regional interest is identified.

Mr Anderton said another public interest in the land - such as housing - might eventually be identified.

It was still possible a joint venture could be signed, but any partner would have to meet all the Defence Force's criteria and could face potential user charges being considered for airports.

The Government was taking a neutral position on whether a commercial airport went ahead, he said.

Brian Mogridge, head of the mayoral taskforce in charge of the Whenuapai project, said he was glad the Air Force was staying longer than expected.

It had been an integral part of the community and news that it was leaving had disappointed Waitakere City.

"We simply had to come up with a Plan B and a commercial airport operation just makes sense.

"There are significant opportunities in joint commercial and military use which would be a much more efficient utilisation of the taxpayers' asset. We will continue to pursue that."

The Herald confirmed with Mr Anderton's office last night that the Government was not ruling out the possibility that Defence could sell the land to another Government agency if another national interest issue was identified.

Mr Brown said he was not prepared to accept this until discussions were held with ministers next week.

Helensville National MP John Key said the proposal was "always a lemon" and now had almost no chance of proceeding. 

The Government was worried that if it supported the plan, it might have to financially prop up Waitakere if the idea fell over.

WHENUAPAI PLANS

Infratil said a commercial airport could:

Handle 463,000 passengers in its first year, rising to two million after 10 years.

Handle 7800 aircraft movements in its first year, rising to 52,000 after 10 years.

Earn $6 million to $10 million a year in profits.

Create 410 jobs and another 760 spin-off jobs.

Put about $90 million into the local economy.