Agreement on Queenstown airport noise

Education Minister Hekia Parata wants options for noise management at a preferred site for a new Wakatipu high school, a lawyer said yesterday.

Parties at an Environment Court hearing in Queenstown discussed the implications of noise rules at a preferred ministry site within the Remarkables Park zone, parts of which straddle a lower-level noise boundary and the preferred school site.

Lawyers thrashed out the fine print, after a broad settlement earlier this week.

Education Ministry lawyer Robert Makgill, in his closing submissions, said the ministry had its own standards for noise management and wanted options when building a school.

"It's up to the court to decide on the evidence whether the standard (noise rule) is too far apart from what would be required on an educational site.

"It's submitted the settlement provides a neat solution to the concerns of the parties."

The settlement, in which parties agreed on technical definitions and parameters of boundaries for noise zones, was appropriate, he said.

"The minister considers the agreed solution and standards will appropriately assist the council to perform its functions and provide certainty."

Mr Makgill said the agreement was sound resource management and would avoid unnecessary argument.

Environment Court Judge Jane Borthwick adjourned the hearing, which will reconvene on Tuesday for remaining closing submissions.

It means amended noise boundaries around Queenstown Airport have almost been signed off after a year of legal ping-pong.

When Queenstown Airport Corporation proposed a plan change to extend noise boundaries in 2010, the move was met by opposition and appeals to the Environment Court. The corporation was under fire for the likely impact on residents living near the airport and a proposed site for a school.

A group of objectors, Wakatipu Residents Against Airport Noise, withdrew their appeal against the proposed plan change and other parties, the corporation, Queenstown Lakes District Council, Remarkables Park, Shotover Park, Air New Zealand and the Education Ministry, reached an agreement.

After the hearing, Remarkables Park managing director Alistair Porter said he supported a balanced solution that identified airport boundaries and protected development.

He said no residential or shopping centre land was within the amended air noise boundary except a small undeveloped area.john.edens@stl.co.nz

- © Fairfax NZ News

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