17 February 2004
The New Zealand Defence Force has released the summary report on the public submissions received on future use options for Whenuapai air force base. The report, prepared by The Bridgeport Group, an independent public policy company will be the subject of public feedback meetings starting in Whenuapai on 17 February.
Director of Property Rationalisation for the New Zealand Defence Force, Peter Bollmann says the report reveals the detailed consideration people gave to their submissions.
“We received over 2200 submissions, ninety-seven percent of which were from individuals and a good proportion of these were substantial statements. Sixty-seven percent of the submitters indicated they live in the area.
“Clearly there has been considerable community and individual interest in the future use of the air base and people who believe they are going to be affected want to be able to influence the decision making process.”
Mr Bollmann says the summary report identifies the option of retaining the site for rural residential use attracts the most positive support at fifty-seven percent, closely followed by development of the property for industrial/commercial use or as a public work/urban development, with forty-seven and forty-four percent levels of support respectively. Support for a commercial airport is lowest at twenty-one percent, with seventy-five percent of submitters opposed to this option.
The report says “many people believe that the site would best be used in the creation of a balanced community comprising housing, schools and/or tertiary institutes, opportunities for employment, retail complexes, retirement villages and a wide range of recreational uses”.
Local residents and those who provided submissions are invited to attend feedback meetings to be held in the Whenuapai and North Shore areas over the next week. Copies of the reports have been posted to each person that made a submission, and will be available at the public meetings.
ENDS
For further information contact:
Peter Bollmann
Director of Property Rationalisation
NZDF
04 4960780