It would need to be similar in nature to that of the Central Otago application, which sought a restriction spanning 565sq km from Alexandra to Wedderburn and Gimmerburn.
"We would certainly look at it," Little says, adding that the region does have the attributes identified by the GAA.
Read said he believes the mood in Alexandra was changing towards support for the venture there. Wairoa hadn't yet been considered, he said, but if the community was keen and the location was appropriate it could be looked at for testing for the future.
The proposals revolve around unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) — "not drones, but planes", Brian Mackie says.
The Government has identified UAV development as a potential growth industry, he says.
"We believe this idea is worth examining because Wairoa appears to be a safe operating area for the beyond-the-line-of-sight operations of UAVs. It is close to the ocean, has good basic infrastructure, ideal topography for testing, good weather and it lies in a deprived economic area."
The recent meeting in Alexandra was called by Civil Aviation and was attended by about 100 industry representatives and landowners, with some concerns stemming from increasing air traffic in the area and use of its airports and aerodromes.
"We have been following this matter very closely," Mackie says, "because any restriction on airspace has a direct impact on the use of it by general aviation, whether they be recreation pilots or commercial operators such as agriculture-based business.
"The establishment of a central UAV testing site at Wairoa might bring significant economic benefits, and remove stress on other communities facing applications," he says.
