The Queenstown Airport Corporation's proposed noise boundaries were insufficient and public health could be endangered, a hearing in Queenstown was told yesterday.
The corporation wants to expand the noise boundaries and permit night flights to arrive in Queenstown between 10pm and midnight, allowing for tourism growth to 2037. Ministry of Health environmental acoustics adviser Vernon Goodwin told the hearing night flights would mean more noise for Frankton residents.
Public Health South was concerned about the location and extent of the new night noise boundary (NNB).
Houses within the boundary will be offered free sound insulation and ventilation to reduce noise levels before the night flights are introduced.
Mr Goodwin said corporation acoustic consultant Chris Day should have used more up-to-date data when measuring the effects of noise on the residents within the boundary.
"There is a question about the adequacy of evidence to locate the NNB where proposed.
It may be that a larger area is justified, based on more reliable and recent information," he said.
"The unusual close proximity of the Queenstown airport to some residential and other noise-sensitive land uses creates some challenges for this airport.
"The Lakes District Hospital is one of several institutional residential-type land-use activities in close proximity to the airport, along with rest-homes."
Stricter noise limits should be imposed on aircraft testing engines at the airport and stricter monitoring, paid for by QAC, should be imposed, he said.
"What is of concern is matters of detail and the potential for inadequate protection of public health because of inadequate noise limits," he said.
Frankton resident Don Wallace said he was concerned about aircraft noise echoing in Queenstown's unique mountainous terrain.
He said flights arriving and taking off between 6am and midnight would be detrimental to his sleep.
He also questioned the consultation process undertaken by the corporation.
