FAQs about airfields

The draft changes are trying to achieve the right balance between enabling and controlling aircraft movements and facilities and managing the potential impact on surrounding properties. In particular, we’re looking at more effectively managing their adverse effects on rural areas. This can be achieved through limiting buildings that aren’t related to rural activity, controlling
flight movements, realigning noise limits to the current New Zealand Noise Standards, introducing setbacks between noise sensitive activities and aircraft operations, restricting hours of operations, and considering traffic movements that an air operation has.

Their future development rights would be potentially restricted to ensure aircraft can take off and land safely. For example, property owners within the aerodrome approach would have limits on the height of any new buildings or trees. The exact changes are now being considered and will be informed by the consultation with the affected landowners.

For more information about the Council’s preferred option for draft changes to airfields, airstrips and helicopter landing pads, and all the work done to date as part of the review visit Council website where all the reports developed for the District Plan Review are kept.