Key draft changes for the future District Plan

The Council’s District Plan Committee has endorsed the following draft changes for further development, which we’re now consulting on:

• Develop more comprehensive, clearer and more restrictive rules which airfields, airstrips and helicopter landing pads would need to meet if they wanted to operate without a resource consent. The more restrictive rules wouldn’t apply to aircraft movements associated with emergency, fire control, law enforcement, seasonal farming work, military aircraft and Porters Ski and Recreation Area. The changes include:

1. reconsidering allowing an unlimited number of flights over five days
2. developing setbacks to ensure aircraft operations are appropriately separated from dwellings and other sensitive activities such as schools
3. considering restricting aircraft movements to normal business hours only
4. reconsidering noise related rules. See the draft changes to noise and vibration related rules to find out more about draft changes to these rules.

• Large building developments and aircraft movements beyond the specified thresholds, for example in relation to residential dwellings, would require resource consent to manage any adverse effects.
• Review what aircraft activities should continue to be a permitted activity without having to meet certain rules.
• Keep approach surfaces rules for the West Melton Aerodrome and introduce them for the Springfield Aerodrome. These rules restrict the height of trees, buildings and utilities underneath the approach surfaces to ensure aircraft can take off and land safely.
• Develop specific provisions for the West Melton Aerodrome as part of an Outline Development Plan/Management Area/Overlay approach (ODP). This approach would see the site clearly shown on the planning maps with associated provisions tailored to the aerodrome. Such an approach would provide greater recognition and protection to the aerodrome while at the same time manage any adverse effects on the surrounding environment.