Queenstown Lakes district councillor Alexa Forbes has questioned the benefit of continued growth of Queenstown Airport.
During a Queenstown Lakes District Council meeting last week she asked Queenstown Airport Corporation chief financial officer Mark Edghill if the area’s residents wanted more "passenger movement numbers".
"Are we at the point where we sacrifice growth to make sure community needs are met?"
The QAC announced in February that, compared with last year, domestic passenger numbers were up 10% at 135,152, international passengers were up 13% at 43,394 and the number of arrivals in the second half of the month was up 19%.
Cr Forbes told those at Friday’s meeting, at the Lake Wanaka Centre, she thought growth was "coming very close to where locals can cope" and pointed to increased traffic and pressure on existing infrastructure.
Her questions followed a statement of intent from the airport for the 2018-19 year.
Mr Edghill confirmed a workshop was being proposed to discuss and consider any proposals. It was due to be arranged within the next month.
The statement of intent also proposes the council adopt a revised dividend policy for the QAC.
