Mayor's response to airport letter 'full of bluster'

A war of words is continuing between Queenstown Mayor Jim Boult and the Wanaka Stakeholders Group, the group's chairman claiming a letter from the Mayor was "full of bluster".

Wanaka Stakeholders Group chairman Michael Ross said he was "deeply disappointed" by the letter, which was a response by Mr Boult to a letter the group had sent to Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones on July 22.

In the July 22 letter to Mr Jones, which was also sent to the Prime Minister, several other ministers, tourist organisations and Mr Boult, Mr Ross raised the group's concerns over the proposed redevelopment and expansion of Wanaka Airport, saying it would open the floodgates to excessive tourism, and the issue was now bigger than local government.

On Tuesday, Mr Boult hit back, accusing the group of "scaremongering" and saying the case for Wanaka Airport to be redeveloped had been predicated on local demand.

Mr Ross this week said the Wanaka Stakeholders Group was not anti-growth, it fully supported the existing general aviation facilities at Wanaka Airport and would welcome the redevelopment of a new terminal to service local demand and turbo-prop services.

"But to suggest that we take the next leap to a fully jet-capable airport with all the ancillary services that would be needed to support that $400million development is currently a step too far.

"To get this dual airport project, as currently proposed, over the line for the Upper Clutha community will require a much more inclusive community consultation," he said.

Mr Ross said the letter was "full of bluster" as despite Mr Boult giving a number of assurances to the Wanaka community, "those assurances have absolutely no detail behind them".

The Wanaka Stakeholders Group was formed last year by a group of Wanaka residents who said the community was not being consulted over the plans to develop Wanaka Airport.

Mr Ross said the group now had more than 1500 members and "was growing by the hour".