Queenstown Airport's plans to exceed pre-Covid flight numbers by 2025
Queenstown Airport expects to exceed its pre-Covid flight numbers within three years – but the growth creates a major challenge for the local council's goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 44% by 2030.
In a plan accepted by the Queenstown Lakes District Council on Thursday, the airport corporation reveals it expects to have almost 2.5 million passenger movements in the 2025 financial year.
That would mean 18,832 flights – an average of about 52 flights per day.
The number is higher than its previous busiest year of 2019 when there were 2.3 million passenger movements.
The full extent of the impact of Covid-19 was not known, and operating conditions remained uncertain, the plan says.
The numbers feature in the airport corporation’s latest statement of intent (SOI).
As tension has risen over the airport and its expansion plans in recent years, the statement has become the focus of intense public pressure as it is the only document the council is required to approve as part of its role as majority shareholder of the council-controlled organisation.
At Thursday’s meeting, councillors voted narrowly to accept the SOI after concerns were raised that it implied councillors would also accept the corporation’s upcoming review of its strategic plan.
Councillor Niki Gladding sought an amendment to delay implementation of the plan until the council had also agreed on it.
Otherwise, the council was approving the plan without seeing it, she said.
“To me that’s a huge risk that I’m not prepared to take on behalf of ratepayers.”
Councillor Quentin Smith said significant progress had been made with the SOI.
Contentious plans to develop Wānaka airport were no longer part of the plan, and it included a strong commitment not to change the air noise boundaries, which had been a significant issue in Queenstown.
Gladding’s amendment did not pass, and the council approved the SOI.
At Thursday’s meeting, the council also approved a new climate and biodiversity plan, which Queenstown resident Anthony Mason argued was “actively deceptive” because it did not recognise the emissions from visitors flying into the district.
Before the pandemic, international visitors emitted 4.4 million tonnes a year flying to the district, he said.
“The entire aspiration of this 30-year plan is a decimal point in one year of our visitor’s international aviation.”
The climate and biodiversity plan had been under development since April 2021 and involved extensive consultation.
Council climate action programme manager Katherine Durman said one of the goals was to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the district by 44% by 2030.
“This won’t be easy, but we need to challenge ourselves to avoid the worst impacts of climate change,” she said.
The plan outlined 70 “actions” including reducing carbon emissions through more effective land-use planning and infrastructure design, regenerating native forest, and embedding climate change into decision-making.
Poll: Would you want an unconventional funeral?
Funerals can cost as much as $22,000 and the planning can be stressful especially at a time when loved ones are grieving. Some New Zealanders are re-imagining funerals by making their own coffin or having a relaxed ceremony at home. Would you want a less traditional funeral? Share your thoughts below.
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.
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85.9% Yes
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12.5% No
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1.7% Other - I'll share below!
Celebrating Our Resident Authors On World Book Day
It was World Book Day on the 23rd of April, so what better time to celebrate some of our talented residents who have published books.
They range from children’s books, to poems, from non-fiction to a first novel - and all are proof that there is no age limit when it comes to creativity!
Click read more for the full story.
Poll: Who is the 2024 Prospa Local Business Hero?
It's clear that small businesses can really be the backbone of a community. It’s been a joy to read the Prospa Local Business Hero nominations from around the country and we’ve now decided upon eight finalists.
With $10,000 worth of prizes up for grabs, it's up to you to decide who deserves the title of 2024 Prospa Local Business Hero.
So have a read of the nominations below and cast your vote...
Mary & Sam Danielson - The Puketapu Hotel
Hawkes Bay
'On Feb 14, 2023, Cyclone Gabrielle flooded many of the rural areas. Puketapu Hotel went under perhaps half a meter of water. However, immediately Mary Danielson and her son, Sam Danielson, along with their loyal staff pulled it together to cook copious amounts of food that without electricity would have been wasted. Throughout the years many of us have been treated with a pub gathering where we can reconnect and a free meal. At Christmas there was Santa, games, gifts for kids, donated patchwork for adults, an ice cream truck and lots of camaraderie.
This February on the cyclone anniversary, they again pulled out the stops to give hundreds of us a special night. We are all tired of the cyclone cleanup and they understood that it was needed.'
Ian Harvey (& Des Banks) - Flower Bazaar
Christchurch
'I'd like to nominate my local florist, Ian and Des at Flower Bazaar on Innes Rd, Chirstchurch. The friendliest guys you could meet, always supporting their fellow retailers in the area and going above and beyond for their customers. They know my family well, and when my mother sadly passed away last July they even went out of their way to close the shop and come to her memorial service. With cost of living issues for a lot of us nowadays, it can't be easy for small businesses, especially those not selling everyday essentials. It's important we support each other and keep these little guys afloat. I can't sing their praises enough. I hope they win something, they really do deserve it.'
Vivienne Shepherd - The Glass Button Tailor
Whangārei
'The proprietor of this business is so kind. She will come to your home or business to discuss your need for repairs alterations or bespoke requirement. As it is often impossible to give a quote for work to do with tailoring she will give a guesstimate, if her time exceed this figure, she will charge that figure no more. But if the work takes less time, this will be the figure. Also, a client who eventually came to Vivienne had taken, a dress she very much liked, to another repair and alteration business who messed it up. Vivienne adjusted to fit well, straightened the one to straight back seam as well as other adjustments. She spent hours on it but charged well less than this time, due to empathy for the disappointment created by the bad job. Vivienne Shepherd is truly focused on doing the best by her clients. She definitely pursues excellence.'
Aaron Hickmott - Master of Gingerbread
Palmerston North
'He consistently turns out a wide range of biscuits on the shelves in both standard AND gluten free versions - he's our go-to when we need a treat to take to dinner at a longtime friend's place who requires gluten free food. His specialty is gingerbread of course and he sells Gingerbread House kitsets to people all over NZ!
The shop is small but inviting and he keeps loyalty cards for regular customers, bonus treats! I only found out recently that he struggled with dyslexia and left school early, but is a born baker and has gone from strength to strength. Long may he practice his craft!'
Alicia Sinclair & the Team - Atawhai Industries
New Plymouth
'Definitely Atawhai Industries New Plymouth. Great crew and management. Prompt service, experienced skilled workers who are cheerful and polite. I was very impressed with the dangerous job they had to do for me and will definitely be calling them for future work. They do so much for the community and help get work for people who would otherwise have difficulties.'
Jitesh Patel - Creswick Foodmarket
Wellington
'I'd like to nominate Jitesh & Hine at Creswick Foodmarket, Northland. Their tidy shop has everything one might need. And if what I am looking for is not there, they consider bringing it in for me. This avoids a lot of travelling across town for me. They also are very community-minded, contributing quietly to events and kids club. I'm glad they are in my community.'
Nicola Read & Team - Read Bros - Hardware
Thames
'I'd like to nominate Read Bros in Thames. The staff are so knowledgeable and helpful. If it's not in stock they will order it in for you. There you get treated as a person, rather than a number.'
Paul Ayers - Ayers Shoes Repairs
Dunedin
'I'd like to nominate Ayers Shoe Repairs in Hillside Road of Dunedin. They repair many things, not just shoes. Paul does a great job at a very reasonable price. They rang me as soon as my job was ready to collect. They are friendly and helpful.'
Vote for your pick in the poll below...
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39.7% Mary & Sam Danielson - The Puketapu Hotel
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11.1% Ian Harvey - Flower Bazaar
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6.3% Vivienne Shepherd - The Glass Button Tailor
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11.1% Aaron Hickmott - Master of Gingerbread
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7.9% The Team - Atawhai Industries
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4.8% Jitesh Patel - Creswick Foodmarket
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1.6% Nicola Read & Team - Read Bros Hardware
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17.5% Paul Ayers - Ayers Shoes Repairs
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