Wellington International Airport should have consulted with the community about the DMAPs flight path change. It did not. Find out more - visit tinyurl.com/PlaneSenseFAQ1. This time it’s our community. Next time it could be yours. More in the comments.
The affected residents have always had a legitimate expectation that Wellington International Airport, having public law responsibilities, would carry out such consultation prior to any proposal to divert aircraft over their suburbs. The consultation now offered was required by law prior to development of the DMAPS concept.
Looking through Airways New Zealand OIA documents Plane Sense received, we found references to community consultation as long ago as November 2021, but alongside that was mention that the local community could be a "roadblock", suggestions that "impact frequently comes down to perception, influenced by publicity", and "Airways would like this implemented in December this year. We (Wellington Airport) therefore need this work reasonably quickly!" Even the Airnoise Committee meeting minutes don't reference the DMAPs flight path change until March 2023, after implementation. The first communication went up on the Wellington Airport website on 20 December 2022, a day after the first known complaint was made.
Understandably, residents are angry about the lack of courtesy, consistency, professionalism and regard for our community and affected individuals. We believe the organisations have been cavalier with residents' health and well-being.
Plane Sense is holding Wellington International Airport, Airways New Zealand, Civil Aviation Authority of NZ and Wellington City Council (as a shareholder) to account for a change that happened over the northern suburbs on 1 December 2022. As well as significant legal issues, there are public health and safety concerns for residents and our local environment. Plane Sense is fundraising to commence a judicial review. Have questions? Find out more and support us today - planesensewellington.com/faqs
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
It’s Riddle Time – You Might Need an Extra Cup of Coffee!
Nobody has ever walked this way. Which way is it?
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
.
Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
-
84.7% Yes
-
13.9% No
-
1.4% Other - I'll share below