Investigation Uncovers Historical Aerodrome Consent Issues

Wednesday, 15 January 2025, 9:40 pm
Article: Max Frethey - Local Democracy Reporter

An independent investigation into resource consent irregularities at the Motueka Aerodrome has unearthed several issues.

The irregularities involve a council caravan dump station, a private hanger, and four leases longer than 35 years.

However, the vast majority of the buildings and activities being undertaken at the aerodrome are in compliance with the Resource Management Act (RMA).

Tasman District Council commissioned the investigation after a local business owner on an adjacent property made several complaints about the council-run aerodrome.

“All of the issues identified were historic and, while necessary to rectify, do not impinge on the aerodrome's legal standing, let alone any of the activities it hosts,” a council spokesperson said.

“Steps have been put in place to manage these [issues] with the property owners. As these changes do not affect the use of the aerodrome or any other obligations or rights, they will remain between the council and the property owners.”

The aerodrome was first established in 1934 but has seen significant development since the 1980s and is now home to a flying school, a skydiving business, various other commercial operations, and a caravan dumpsite along with several hangars and buildings.

The council-installed dumpsite was constructed in line with a waiver but a resource consent was still required and hadn’t been granted, while a consent could not be identified for the westernmost hanger, termed Hanger S1, at the aerodrome which is believed to have been built between 1989 and 1996.

Four leases longer than 35 years at the aerodrome have also been signed, however leases of that length require approval for subdivision under the RMA and no consents permitting subdivision were identified.

But otherwise, general aerodrome operations occur within the appropriate planning designations, as do the operations of the skydiving business and the Motueka Aero Club.

The Nelson Aviation College and drag racing activities at the aerodrome also operate in compliance with their resource consent conditions.

The findings report published on the council website contains several redacted sections relating to the long-term leases that require action.

The sections are redacted to ensure the council is not disadvantaged in negotiations with the leaseholders. Once negotiations are concluded, the redacted parts of the report will be released.

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