Planning for a new emergency helipad at the Cromwell Aerodrome is underway thanks to the Cromwell Lions Club.

The $80,000 project is a joint initiative with the Otago Rescue Helicopter Trust and the Central Otago District Council, and already $33,600 in products and services have been donated, thanks to local businesses.

Currently the rescue helicopters landed on the grass airstrip at the northern end of the Cromwell Aerodrome and patients were transferred from an ambulance, which was not helpful because of the uneven surface.

Mayor Tamah Alley told the Central Otago District Council meeting in Cromwell on Wednesday, that being wheeled across the bumpy ground with broken ribs would not be ideal.

The council approved the use of land at the aerodrome under the District Plan.

Cromwell Lions Club Community Emergency Helipad project convenor Pete Moen said the project first kicked off in February 2023, and involved discussions with St John, pilots and paramedics.

Pete said one of the things they had to consider before the fundraising began in early 2025 was whether a satellite hospital would be built in Cromwell, because then it would have its own helipad.

“There’s no point building a satellite hospital here because they would have their own helipad,’’ Pete said.

The new emergency helipad needed a 12m diameter concrete area to land and a separate area for ambulances to park, eight specialised aviation perimeter lights, an illuminated windsock, as well as fencing and signage.

Cromwell Lions was planning a community project in March 2025 to help fund the project, Pete said.

The fundraising project was still under wraps but the venue had been confirmed with more details on that in the new year.

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