KEY POINTS:
The aerodrome in Onetangi, Waiheke Island, is not exactly a hive of activity. It has one hangar, a large grassy area which must be the airstrip, and a tiny, one-room office, all nestled in lush, green native bush.
But this quiet spot is earmarked for a $10 million
development - including 26 visitor accommodation units, 19 aircraft hangars, a cafe, and reception building. And the locals, who claim their island is all about "peace and tranquillity", are not happy.
Residents found out about the planned upgrade of the privately owned Onetangi airstrip in mid-July, when a resource consent application was lodged with Auckland City Council.
Proposed by Waiheke Island Airpark Ltd, the plans have angered those who want the "unique" environment and lifestyle protected from large-scale developments.
Auckland City Council and the Auckland Regional Council have received 99 submissions on the plans - 69 oppose the airstrip development, which is about a 15-minute drive from the main centre of Oneroa.
An upgrade of the airstrip, four hectares of earthworks and the removal of 2000 square metres of vegetation, including on a site of ecological significance, will be considered by both councils in a non-complying notified consent hearing.
The airstrip is owned by Emirates pilot Neil Greer, who is based in Dubai. Project manager is Waiheke resident and pilot, Denis Musson.
Musson said there was already demand for the 26 accommodation "chalets" that would allow people to park their planes in a private hangar while they stayed on the island.
He said about 40 people had expressed interest in owning a unit. Almost all were ex-pats, and many were pilots or others in the aviation industry. Some lived in airparks in Dubai or America but wished to spend some months in New Zealand.
Musson explained those who bought chalets would use them when they wanted to, and would be absentee landlords the rest of the time so tourists could use the accommodation.
Musson said there was "a lot of misunderstanding" about the airpark, although he recognised there was widespread opposition.
"This is why we have a district plan, and the Resource Management Act, so people can take their submissions to a hearing."
He said neighbours to the airstrip opposed the development. "But why buy a property next to an airfield?"
Musson said there would be "virtually no increase in existing movements" in aircraft traffic, as people would fly in then fly away again. The airfield would not be used for training or practise flights.
He claimed the buildings would be "barely visible" to outsiders, and said the vegetation targeted for removal consisted of gorse and manuka.
Lynette Gilmore, a resident for 30 years, is horrified by the proposal. She lives in Rocky Bay, which is below the flight path for the strip, and dislikes the idea of "a whole lot of little planes buzzing in and out".
Gilmore said there would be a "lot of very upset people" if the development went ahead, and called the plans a "backhanded subdivision".
Another long-time resident, who did not wish to be named, said the community did not want to see an overhaul of the island "like Pauanui or Mt Maunganui".
"We're a small community, and we don't like a lot of change. If it goes ahead, there will be petitions, protests, the lot," he said.
Many submissions claim the development is too large. They raise concerns about the traffic volume on the road to the airpark, noise levels, and the buildings exceeding the ridgeline height.
Chairman of Waiheke's Forest and Bird Society, Brian Griffiths, was concerned about the earthworks and the removal of vegetation. "This is a very sensitive catchment area. We don't want what amounts to a de-facto subdivision."
Griffiths said people might have felt better if they were consulted earlier. "We realise that development is inevitable, but we have to protect the environment. We shouldn't allow that to be spoiled because some people want to make money."
A vocal minority
Waiheke Island's 7500 residents are well-known for voicing their opinions when it comes to change or new developments. The island was the first community to vote itself a nuclear-free zone, and the community board recently voted the island a genetic engineering-free zone.
Other issues islanders have been in the news for include:
* Matiatia: Development at Matiatia harbour, where the ferry from Auckland lands, has been the subject of hot debate for the past five years. The battle by members of the Community and People of Waiheke against large-scale development resulted in the purchase of the land by the Auckland City Council, and public consultation is now taking place.
* Ferry service: Islanders have long been unhappy their only public transport to and from Auckland is the privately-owned - and unsubsidised - Fullers ferry service. The ferry also hit the news when about 80 people were left stranded overnight in February when there was not enough space on the last boat.
* Foot-and-mouth disease prank: In May 2005, there was a suspected capping stunt when a letter was sent to the Prime Minister claiming that foot-and-mouth disease had been released on the island. Quarantines on livestock were established, and there were weeks of testing before the threat was discounted.
