New Aerodrome within a Km of Otane Village

Naomi from Otane

Are you aware of the New Aerodrome currently being built just outside Otane village by one of the local Topdressing operators? Please make sure this info gets out to as many locals as possible. This airstrip is potentially being built for the use of topdressing planes with what looks to be provision for a very large "farm building" being built and possibility in the longterm of usage for more than a private airstrip. What we need is to know what this area is going to used for. At this stage the council seems to believe that it is Only for Private use.The general consensus from local people is that the size of the strip is way way bigger than what is required for a simple "park the plane at home" situation
This airstrip and its usage are potentially a blatant breach of public safety on all sorts of levels and at the moment both the local and regional council laws do not allow them to say no to this. The health and safety implications of this airstrip and where it is located are serious and its not just the immediate neighbours (of which I am one) who will be affected by this. The strip borders a creek which feeds into the Papanui stream which flows into the Tukituki river. This is a critical stream and already under threat from pollution. Noise pollution is a huge issue as well. Residue Drift is a major concern for humans and animals over extended periods of time. There is a primary school in the immediate vicinity let alone the houses that border the valley that the strip is being built in. There are many other points that need to be considered and answered and there will be more info to be had over coming days.
Once this airstrip is in place and up and running it will be virtually impossible to stop the number of planes using it as the councils current rules are far to lax and outdated to be able to deal effectively with this. There is a rapidly growing group of people opposing this possible venture . Please give your support via public meetings as they arise and petitions so that we may influence the outcome of this situation. More info will be posted as it comes in.