Commercial Airport Plans Hit Turbulence-Greenhithe, NZ

Commercial Airport Plans Hit Turbulence 
Stuff.co.nz, New Zealand

09 December 2003  


Greenhithe residents have blown a fuse over plans for a commercial airport at 
Whenuapai, swearing and shouting down guests at a community meeting. 


Some audience members angrily stormed out of last Thursday's New Zealand 
Defence Force meeting at Greenhithe Hall, saying a commercial airport was 
coming and there was nothing they could do about it. 

Others booed and heckled speakers, especially North Shore Mayor George Wood, 
whenever the idea of the Whenuapai airbase becoming a commercial airport was 
raised. 

The audience of about 150 reacted badly to Mr Wood's continuing refusal to 
oppose a commercial airport. Some threatened to vote him out at the next 
election if he supports it. 

The meeting was held by the defence force to outline options for the land when 
the air force leaves the Whenuapai airbase in five years' time and to encourage 
them to make submissions before January 16. 

Defence force director of property rationalisation, Peter Bollmann, told the 
audience that a decision on what to do with the land is due in April. 

Mr Bollman outlined four options for the land: A commercial airport, public 
work or urban development, industrial development or rural residential sites. 

But once the formal presentation was over, the crowd, which opposes a 
commercial airport because of increased noise and air pollution, began asking 
questions. 

Many feel a commercial airport is already a done deal. They wanted to know why 
they should bother making submissions. 

"If I didn't want to hear your view I wouldn't be standing here," Mr Bollmann 
replied. 

"We do want your submissions whether you believe it's a fair process or a scam. 
You have nothing to lose by making a submission." 

One resident asked Mr Bollmann why he cared what happened to the airbase after 
the air force left. "We're not here to help you get the best return on the 
land," the resident said. 

Mr Bollmann's response: "My concern is to make sure the ministry manages the 
disposal of the land efficiently. We don't want it to deteriorate. The defence 
force wants to maintain a forward view." 

Two people in the audience stormed out of the meeting early, swearing at the 
speakers. 

One yelled: "Give us a break ... it's crap ... we are going to get an airport." 

Then it was Mr Wood's turn. A member of the audience asked Mr Wood to state 
whether he supported or opposed a commercial airport. The request was met with 
rounds of applause. 

His response? "The council's position is ... we are finding it difficult to 
formulate our position. We don't believe there's sufficient information at 
present to make a decision." 

Someone in the audience replied: "That was clever - he said absolutely 
nothing." 

Another yelled: "Can't you see that everyone on the North Shore is against it?" 

The council unveiled its submission over the future use of Whenuapai airbase at 
its strategy and finance committee meeting at 9.30am today. 
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