07 April 2008

Mayor welcomes airport decision

Kapiti Coast District Mayor Jenny Rowan has welcomed today’s Council decision to accept Plan Change 73 - allowing a change of use on the Paraparaumu airport land.

“This has been a tense and trying period for all of us. I acknowledge that conflict of interest issues have meant a number of councillors have had to make personal compromises that have been very difficult for them.

“Thanks to the work of the Airport Coalition, Kapiti Environmental Action, and a large number of other submitters, the proposal we voted on today is vastly different to the one originally put before the community.

“It is almost entirely without big box development, which clearly the community did not want. There have been significant gains in securing much more landscaped green space around the airport, the airport museum has been retained, and there has been considerable agreement reached between the aero club and Mr Robinson,“ she said.

“I am also pleased to see that agreement has been reached between Coastlands Shoppingtown and the airport owners - so we will not see a duplication of retail services cancelling each other out and impacting on our economic development.

“I realise the quasi-judicial framework in which this hearing took place has been both frustrating and constricting for some members of the public and indeed for some councillors. I hope people will understand there are still avenues open to them to appeal and seek changes.

“The Council has already set up a meeting between the land owner, injured parties and the Crown. This will go ahead on Friday April 18. I am very hopeful it will produce the fair and just outcome over outstanding land grievances which people have been seeking for a number of decades.

“I acknowledge that some submitters are unhappy with the hearing they received during the submissions process. They are entitled to apply to the High Court for a judicial review on this.”

Ms Rowan said it was also important to remind people, who have previously submitted on the plan change, that they have 20 days to submit to the Environment Court if they wish to see further changes and amendments.

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