A former Environment Southland chief executive has been appointed as independent chair of a committee that will help shape the future of Wānaka Airport.

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) councillors signed off on the appointment of Rob Phillips to the Wānaka Airport Liaison Committee (WALC) in a meeting in late April.

“All details have now been finalised and I welcome Rob to this new position,” QLDC chief executive Mike Theelen said.

“With more than 22 years’ experience in executive and leadership roles he clearly demonstrated through the recruitment process that he’ll bring the skills, experience and independence required.”

The long-awaited WALC was first recommended 12 years ago but it was designated to Queenstown Airport Corporation (QAC) in the District Plan only five years ago.

QLDC has named Simon Telfer as the Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board (WUCCB) representative on the committee but it still needs to select its other members, which will 

include representatives from the Wānaka Airport Users Group, commercial airlines and other groups.

WALC’s responsibilities will include reviewing complaints relating to airport operations or noise, assisting QLDC (in its role as regulator) and Queenstown Airport Corporation (which manages Wānaka Airport’s day-to-day operations) to communicate and engage with the community, and reviewing progress on any airport development activity, Mike said.

Rob said he was looking forward to working with airport-based businesses and the wider community.

“Wānaka Airport plays a wide range of roles including that of a hugely respected flight training centre and the home of internationally famous air show, Warbirds over Wānaka,” he said. 

“The committee will be an important new body taking a helicopter view of relevant activities there.

“Given this committee has not existed before we’ll be working initially to shape how we operate in line with our terms of reference.”

The council statement did not indicate when other members would be appointed to the committee.

In February QLDC said the draft terms of reference for the WALC would be shared with the community once all members are appointed.

PHOTO: Supplied