The community consultation meetings for the Tarras Airport which were planned for this week have been put on hold and postponed until a later date, due to COVID-19 Alert Level 2 restrictions on gatherings. 

The meetings, which were expected to draw a large crowd to the tiny Central Otago town, would most likely be over the stipulated maximum of 100 persons per gathering in Alert Level 2. 

A spokesperson for Christchurch International Airport Ltd, who are behind the proposed development, says the postponement of the meetings will ensure the consultations go ahead under better conditions so they can hear the concerns of the public. 

There has been a large public outcry and opposition to the airport proposal. 

Last year, protestors addressed The Central Otago District Council and airport planners at a Council meeting in Alexandra. 

“We are grateful so many people have taken time to meet with us so far and shared their thoughts on our project,” the Christchurch Airport spokesperson says. 

“We have always said we would reflect back what we’ve been told, as part of our commitment to ongoing engagement with communities, mana whenua and other stakeholders.

“We will continue to engage with the community during 2021 and beyond, but the two Drop In days will show the local community the feedback we’ve heard so far. 

“They will also give people another chance to meet us, add to the feedback, ask questions and understand the project’s next steps.

“The postponement is purely because of the South Island going into Alert Level 2. We work at the border so safety is a top priority for us, especially as we work our way through changing levels. 

“This week’s decision is definitely a postponement and we look forward to rescheduling the Drop In sessions as soon as possible."

Last year a survey run by Wanaka Stakeholders Group (WSG) found more than 1200 people in and around Wanaka were surveyed and 74% - about 900 people - were opposed to Christchurch International Airport Ltd's plans to build an international airport on what is presently farmland at Tarras, citing environmental impacts as the primary concern. ( Continue reading below)

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The survey also found people were concerned about the impacts on quality of life and road safety, and nearly all respondents sought greater consultation and involvement in airport decisions in the region.

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