A compromise offered by Jacks Point parties that would clear the way for Nzone Skydive to increase its number of flights was shot down by Nzone's counsel yesterday.
Lawyer Richard Brabant, of Auckland, told the Environment Court in Queenstown the Jacks Point parties he represented had considered matters arising from the cross-examination and questioning of Nzone managing director Lindsay Williams.
John Fogden, aviation specialist for Jacks Point, submitted a departing skydive aircraft could attain 500ft to 600ft in height by the time it reached the boundary with Jacks Point land and would be able to safely make a left turn to the south on departure.
This arrival track could also be improved with an extra 400m of runway available for landing, Mr Brabant said.
Dr Jeremy Trevathan, acoustic specialist for Jacks Point, submitted the desirable 55dBA Ldn noise control could be met at the nearest residential sites, specifically Jacks Point Rise, Brett Lane and Hackett Rd, resulting in a decrease in noise levels with the additional flights proposed.
''The use of noise abatement tracks being flown to the south would result in reductions in noise experienced in other locations,'' Mr Brabant said.
''In particular the recreational land - the sports fields, the golf course, the walking trails and other open space - and the visitor accommodation proposed at the lodge site would benefit from not only a reduction in noise, but an absence of overflying aircraft.''
Jacks Point planner Sean Dent submitted new modified consent conditions.
If Nzone elected to extend the runway and adopt the noise abatement tracks, Jacks Point would accept the company's flight increase proposal, with other conditions remaining.
However, counsel Russell Bartlett, of Auckland, on behalf of Nzone, told Judge Jon Jackson he did not accept the Jacks Point compromise came out of the hearing. The modified conditions could have come out of ''good faith caucusing'' months ago. The application involved an existing airstrip and the facility from which the business ran, and that was located at the start of the airstrip. Moving it to the middle of the airstrip caused all sorts of difficulties, he said.
Mr Bartlett asked the court why Nzone should ''duck around a mountain'' and the balance of risk being promoted was ''frankly, absurd''.
The hearing is expected to conclude tomorrow.
The story so far
• Skydive Queenstown Ltd, trading as Nzone Skydive Queenstown, has applied to operate commercial parachute and associated transport operation at Remarkables Station, SH6, Queenstown.
• Company says rising visitor demand behind its bid to increase number of daily flights from 35 to average of 50 a day; caveat of no more than 75 flights on any day.
• North of airstrip Nzone leases is Jacks Point, 1200ha development of homes, restaurants, shops and a luxury lodge, including a special zone of 520ha called Henley Downs, which could increase residences from 1300 to 2400.
• Jacks Point Residents' Association and commercial interests that own land in resort oppose the application.
• Noise effects and the effects on amenity by skydiving aircraft in the rural general zone and the proposed conditions of consent, if granted, are disputed.
