Greens join opposition to Rotorua Airport plan

The Green Party has joined Labour in opposing international flights from Rotorua Airport.

Green Party co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons met Rotorua Mayor Kevin Winters yesterday to confirm the party's opposition to the airport's extension and plans to handle transtasman flights.

Labour has already indicated it will oppose the move and the airport will be one of the matters Prime Minister Helen Clark will discuss with Mr Winters when the two meet this evening.

"We agree with the Government that this airport plan should not proceed, though our reasons may be somewhat different," Ms Fitzsimons said.

Among the Greens' concerns are the impact transtasman flights could have on the environment and rising oil prices.

Ms Fitzsimons said with the skyrocketing price of the world's oil supplies it was an inappropriate time to spend millions of dollars on more airports.

"I believe it could be a white elephant. Instead, they should reinstate the rail link to Auckland so tourists can fly into Auckland then hop on the train to Rotorua."

Biosecurity was also a huge issue which had not been properly considered, Ms Fitzsimons said.

"There are all kinds of subtropical nasties. Do the people of Rotorua want to be sprayed for the painted apple moth?"

Rotorua Green Party candidate Amanda Reid said the environmental impact of extending the airport was significant.

She said it would include "unacceptable noise pollution for residents on the flight path, further encroachment on Maori land without resolution of existing grievances and the destruction of a unique eco-system of wetlands and kahikatea trees".

Rotorua MP Steve Chadwick said Helen Clark's meeting with the mayor would focus on three issues -- the Bright Economy project, lakes water quality and the airport.

A proposal on biosecurity fees, which could cripple the airport and destroy its plans of going transtasman, is expected to be discussed.

"(The Government) know about the Rotorua case but need to look at it on a national basis."

Mrs Chadwick said she was aware that last year Air New Zealand had made no promises about whether it would fly transtasman from Rotorua once the facility was there.

Despite the debate over the airport's future, work on the extension is progressing.

Yesterday was the first day the new, stronger parking spaces for planes had been used. The old parking area will be torn up.

The work is part of the airport's multimillion-dollar upgrade to better cater for its domestic role as well as making it capable of handling transtasman flights.

The new terminal is on the verge of completion.

- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)