The newly minted Wānaka Airport Liaison Committee (WALC) met recently for the first time, heralding a new approach to planning for the airport’s future.

The committee’s establishment follows a turbulent period for Queenstown Lakes District Council’s (QLDC) relationship with the Wānaka community around the airport, but with the committee in place and funds allocated for planning next year, a second attempt at planning the airport’s future is ahead.

A bumpy approach

QLDC councillors approved the 100-year lease of Wānaka Airport to the QAC in 2017, following consultation during 2016/2017, but the High Court ruled it was unlawful in 2021. 

Lobby group Wānaka Stakeholders Group (WSG) was the major driver for the court case, but failed in its bid for an order restraining QLDC and QAC from taking any steps to develop and operate Wanaka Airport as a dual capable airport with Queenstown Airport.

QLDC then appointed QAC to manage the airport, and “pushed pause” (in the words of former mayor Jim Boult) on plans for development.

QLDC said it planned to reflect on the findings and work with councillors and QAC to agree on the next steps for Wānaka Airport.

Eventually WALC - which was first recommended 13 years ago - was formed.

Read more: Chair announced for airport liaison committee

What now?

QLDC has now allocated a budget to begin its second Wānaka Airport master planning process in the 2024-2025 financial year. 

“This will initially focus on working with stakeholders including the community board, Civil Aviation Authority, airport users, Wānaka Airport Liaison Committee and the wider community to set the scope for the project prior to formal consultation,” QLDC spokesperson Sam White told the Wānaka App.

“Setting a timeline for the project will also form part of these initial discussions. Before then, there’s likely to be some minor improvement work at the airport following aeronautical studies completed earlier this year but this will be within the scope of current management arrangements.”

Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board chair Simon Telfer is a member of WALC, which met in August for the first time (read the minutes of that meeting here).

Simon told the Wānaka App the group discussed and revised its terms of reference and “started to build solid relationships between the committee members”.

Simon Telfer is starting conversations about how any future airport development would be funded and the most appropriate governance structure and oversight. PHOTO: Jeannine Tuffin 

The committee’s responsibility is to review progress on airport development and the master plan, and Simon said he intends to raise this “at every meeting alongside the advocacy I am undertaking as chair of the community board”.

Community perspective

Simon said he is starting conversations “about how any future airport development would be funded and the most appropriate governance structure and oversight”.

A skydiver’s view of Wānaka Airport. PHOTO: Supplied

“I believe there is openness to the idea of considering regularly scheduled turbo prop flights to Christchurch and Wellington. The community also values the general aviation services operating out of the airport and that should be protected and enhanced. “

Beyond that he did not want to pre-empt what the formal community consultation would end up producing.

WSG chair Meg Taylor said the group was looking forward to “a community led, transparent and consultative approach”.

“Any consultation must reflect the very strong message sent by both the community and the High Court. The Upper Clutha needs to be closely involved in planning the future of this major community asset and we will be making recommendations to achieve this.”

A QLDC meeting is planned for late January 2024 where the work plan for the year is decided, and Simon expects the masterplan process will begin as soon as possible in the new financial year (June 2024).