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The North Shore Aero Club’s hope of expanding its airfield at Dairy Flat have been dashed by a decision by Transport Minister not to recommend the plan to the Governor General.
The club applied for Airport Authority status in 2020, which if granted would allow the airport to make bylaws and would give it compulsory land acquisition power.
A large number of residents opposed the proposal. The application had been on the minister’s desk since October 2021 awaiting his decision.
In a statement on August 9, a transport spokesperson said that the minister was not convinced that granting authority status to the airport would be a helpful addition to the transport network in general and the aviation network, in particular.
“There also remain unresolved questions about what future requirements might be, should the airport grow, and sufficient consultation between the airport and the community had not occurred” he said.
Dairy Flat Owners group chair Brian Sutton said the decision was a win for the community.
“It has been a long haul and stressful for property owners,” he said.
North Shore Aero Club chief executive John Punshon said the club was still evaluating this so did not wish to comment.
