Alexandra Airport’s $930,000 runway reseal has been delayed until next Spring-Summer after contractors told the Central Otago District Council it was at risk of cracking once resurfaced.

A status report to council in March said Fulton Hogan had advised that there was now an issue with the existing base of the runway, and more investigation was needed into costs and requirements.

The 1200m long by 30m wide chip sealed runway was first sealed around the mid to late 1980s and has not been resurfaced since.

Users had expressed safety concerns about the deteriorating condition of the runway, and possible damage to their aircraft.

Initial costs of $486,000 had been budgeted for the reseal in the 2022-23 Annual Plan, but due to Covid-19 and rising construction costs, the runway reseal then almost doubled in price.

The extra funding for the shortfall came from council’s Alexandra Airport Masterplan, which had $900,000 earmarked for a new hangar precinct.

In 2017, to meet the demand for hangar sites, the power supply capacity to the airport was upgraded, power and water reticulation installed to all sites and 700 metres of sealed taxiways constructed. 

In 2018 another five sites were developed with power and water connections and an additional 300 metres of sealed taxiways constructed.

The hangar precinct proposal included establishment of water, power and wastewater services for the sites, a new gravel accessway from Letts Gully Rd, fencing and sealed taxiways.

A new report to council will be presented in coming months, which will provide a financial update on the project in the Long Term Plan (2024-34).