Te Kowhai airfield - developments proposed with Council

Amanda Neighbourly Lead from Te Kowhai

Hi everyone.

I just wanted to follow up on some earlier messaging around the Te Kowhai Airfield developments.

I wasn't able to attend the meeting so I have spoken with a number of people on both sides of the conversation to learn more.

I've read through a copy of the presentation that the airfield owners took the Community Group and public through last week. I've also read the reports put together by Astral Aviation Consultants about the Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (the height at which planes can approach landing) and the report from Marshall Day Acoustics about the noise boundary.

I've attached both documents (only 2 pages long) for anyone to read. I understand these were also handed out at the meeting to those who attended.

I've highlighted key comments within these documents which I think (I hope) dispel some misconceptions over land use, land grabbing, changing people's right to use their land and other misunderstandings.

The documents attached give an overview of the detail behind and reasons for the proposed changes that went to Council: basically it's about compliance and safety.

The NZ Airport noise standards have been worked through to provide a balance between land use planing and the protection of Community resources and facilities like a small aerodrome.

Building within the noise boundaries IS ALLOWED. As with any new home being built anywhere near a main road, truck route or airfield, noise limiting construction is likely to be needed such as double glazing and extra thick gib.

The resulting noise contours (red and blue lines on the map on one of the PDFs attached) are actually the end result and final graphical representation of the calculated aircraft movements and noise calculation.

The airfield owners chose NOT to restrict land development adjacent to the airport - despite the fact they could have. The airfield owners live in our community too, their kids go to our school, it's as much their best interests to keep the community together as it is anyone else's.

They also chose to only future proof for 10 years rather than the recommended 20-30 years of some larger airports. Which means consultation isn't done forever. It's an ongoing process involving dialogue between everyone over time.

The airfield have proposed to implement noise restrictions that they don't currency have. They're asking to cap their own noise outputs.

Without these changes going through, there will be no limits at all and no accurate data for Council in terms of insulation’s standards for any new developments.

The airfield also have to have an active noise management plan which triggers compliance monitoring of the noise contours should they approach 70% of the designed aircraft movements measured over the busiest 3 months or should the contour testing be within 1db of the design limits then infield testing will be needed. .

Please do take a look at the attached two documents. And if you're limited on time, just read the highlighted bits.

If you're wondering what my involvement is with this - I support the airfield and I submitted to the Council my support. Jack and I live underneath the Western end of the airfield on Horotiu Road, where planes take off and land. They go over our house. We love it, the kids love it. Jack flies (not as much as he would like to) but I don't. I just like seeing them go over our house during take off and landing and I think having an airfield in our community is a privilege, a pleasure and an important part of our community identity.

As per other discussions on line, read the information, decide as you will.

ANB Summary of facts Amandas highlights.pdf Download View

Astral OLS Description Amandas highlights.pdf Download View