A concept image of the proposed Ahuriri Aeropark development surrounding the Hawke's Bay Airport. Photo / Supplied
A concept image of the proposed Ahuriri Aeropark development surrounding the Hawke's Bay Airport. Photo / Supplied
Hawke's Bay Airport is looking to develop its own travel, trade and tourism village.
It's gone to the market to see what businesses are keen to lease new premises at Ahuriri Aeropark, part of a planned staged development project on 10 undeveloped hectares surrounding the airport.
HBAL chief executive StuartAinslie said the plan was a key part of diversifying the company's income and protecting it from future disruption to the travel industry.
"Any income generated from property development will go back to further development of HBAL and to dividends paid to shareholders."
Eighteen businesses lease and operate from land around the airport.
The new development would have lots of various sizes on either side of Watchman Rd near the approach into the airport, with one parcel next to the runway and the other overlooking the estuary.
The scale and number of lot sizes is flexible but would likely range from 2000sq m and larger.
Hawke's Bay Airport chief executive Stuart Ainslie said the Ahuriri Aeropark was a key part of diversifying their operation to lessen the impact of future travel industry disruptions. Photo / NZME
Ainslie said the company wanted to attract business that support the travel, trade and tourism industries.
This could include light manufacturing and warehousing, office accommodation, logistics or tourism operators, he said.
"We want to see businesses establish themselves that can utilise the airport and develop to create an innovative and vibrant business hub.
"What we don't want is accommodation or retail that compete with the CBD or heavy industry that doesn't fit with the strong environmental principles that we have set for this development."
Any new builds would also have to meet "high design principles" and be "green-rated", with a focus on water and energy efficiency.
Ainslie said HBAL aspired to be the country's most sustainable airport.
"Being on the edge of Te Muriwai o Te Whanga [Ahuriri Estuary] we take our responsibilities to our environment extremely seriously.
"We want to attract like-minded businesses that have sustainability aspirations like ours."
A Colliers listing says indicative lease terms are for 10 or more years, with all design builds negotiable and led by tenant requirements.
