Planning certainty secured for Nelson Airport’s future runway extension

Planning changes for Nelson Airport’s future runway extension have been confirmed, paving the way for more flight options for the community in future.

The Environment Court has issued its formal acceptance of the changes through a consent order, meaning the provisions will soon be incorporated into the Nelson City Council’s Resource Management Plan.

The next step is for the Council to decide on a date to make the changes to the Nelson Resource Management Plan operative. The Council and airport are working on a suitable date for both the plan changes and designation changes to become operative given they are intertwined.

The court order comes after the airport reached agreements with the Nelson Golf Club, Tāhuna Holiday Park and Tāhunanui Business and Citizens Association, resolving all appeals.

Nelson Airport board chair Quinton Hall said the court order represents a major milestone for the airport and the region.

“Nelson is already one of New Zealand’s most popular airports, and we know demand for connection to and from the region is only going to grow. Our runway is very short for an airport of our size and activity levels. An extension will be essential in the next decade or so to provide for different types of aircraft and more flight options for the community.”

Airport CEO Brendan Cook said the stage was set for the runway to be lengthened when aircraft fleet changes and demand prompted it. “It’s not happening tomorrow, but now we can confidently plan for the future and ensure we’re ready to extend the runway when we need to.”

Brendan said a recent economic impact assessment showed Nelson Airport was set to contribute $2.5 billion to the regional economy over the next 10 years. “That shows the importance of air connectivity to the economic health of the region, so it’s vital we maintain and grow those connections.”

The key planning changes:
•    introduce an Airport Zone (previously airport land was a mix of Industrial and Open Space and Recreation zoning)
•    update the airport’s noise contours and the associated planning controls on residential intensification and development within the contours
•    update the airport’s designations to protect the land required for a future extension and introduce new noise monitoring requirements for the airport
•    introduce a new acoustic mitigation package to provide fully funded noise mitigation treatment for eligible homes
 

Nelson Airport has 12 months to prepare an Acoustic Mitigation Programme, which will provide the framework for making acoustic treatment offers to eligible homeowners.