GRAPHIC: CHRISTCHURCH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT LTD/ODTCommunity groups in Wanaka have written to the Prime Minister asking for central government to step in and put a stop to a proposed airport expansion at Wanaka and a new airport at Tarras. Photo: Getty ImagesThe letter - written by the Wanaka Stakeholders Group Inc. and supported by six community associations in the Upper Clutha - outlines their concerns about the planned development of jet-capable airports when the Government has declared a climate emergency. The Queenstown Airport Corporation (QAC) runs Wanaka Airport for the Queenstown Lakes District Council. Wanaka Stakeholders Group rejects QAC’s proposed $400 million redevelopment of the airport. ‘‘Even the $205,000 report the district council has commissioned about airports has never been discussed by the full council.’’The decision to build carbon-intensive infrastructure was ‘‘nothing short of madness’’, he said.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 19, 2021 05:03 UTC