Community invited to have a say on the future of Glenorchy Airstrip

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) is now consulting on a draft Glenorchy Airstrip Reserve Management Plan 2025 (RMP) which outlines how QLDC will manage the airstrip on behalf of users and the Glenorchy community.

QLDC Principal Parks Planner Jeannie Galavazi encouraged anyone with an interest in local aviation, airstrip users and the wider community, especially those based in the Glenorchy area, to read the plan and share their views in a submission.

“The existing RMP was adopted in 2016. Since this time, QLDC has worked alongside the community and local operators to implement new management processes and make improvements at the airstrip. We now need a more future focused plan that is aligned with the Resource Management Act noise contour that became operative in 2021 and the community’s long-term needs,” said Mrs Galavazi.

The draft RMP has been guided by initial feedback from the Glenorchy community and stakeholders, including commercial operators and the aviation industry. The draft sets out the direction for the use and development of the Airstrip Reserve, through a vision and a series of objectives and policies. These will act as a guide for Council officers when making day-to-day and longer-term decisions about how the Airstrip Reserve will be used, including whether hangars are appropriate, how commercial flight numbers are allocated, and setting fees and charges.

QLDC has been working with the Glenorchy Airstrip Consultative Governance Committee to develop the draft plan, which includes representatives from the Glenorchy Community Association, neighbouring landowners, and operators.

“We had a great response to our early engagement which asked for feedback on how the facility should continue to operate, be maintained, developed and managed in the future. It’s now time to hear if the draft RMP reflects the community’s future vision and needs,” said Mrs Galavazi.

Objectives and policies in the draft plan include aviation operations, commercial aviation activity, development and infrastructure, funding and user charges, carbon and noise emissions, and governance and community input.

To view the draft plan and provide a submission go to letstalk.qldc.govt.nz by Friday 8 August. Printed copies are available to view at Council offices and libraries.

Following the close of public submissions, there will be an opportunity for submitters to speak at a public hearing in August. The hearing panel will consider all submissions and recommend final changes to the plan. This plan will then be presented to the QLDC Community & Services Committee for recommendation in September and to Full Council for adoption on 9 October.

ENDS|KUA MUTU.

Media contact: communications@qldc.govt.nz or call 03 441 1802.

FURTHER INFORMATION | KĀ PĀROKO TĀPIRI

• Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) is responsible for managing the Glenorchy Airstrip Reserve, which contains a small aerodrome situated just south of the township, on the banks of Lake Whakatipu. For more information about the Glenorchy Airstrip and the Glenorchy Airstrip Consultative Governance Committee go to: www.qldc.govt.nz/services/airports/glenorchy-aerodrome

• For more information and to read the draft Glenorchy Airstrip Reserve Management Plan 2025 go to https://letstalk.qldc.govt.nz

• The existing RMP was adopted in 2016. Since then, the use of the airstrip has changed, and a limit on flights and a noise contour have been added to the District Plan Designation that authorises the take-off and landing of all aircraft at the airstrip.  A noise contour sets a maximum ‘bucket’ of noise that is allowed from use of the airstrip.