Airports in New Zealand’s West Coast region will have expanded noise boundaries to allow for bigger aircraft and more traffic.
Principal planner for the Te Tai o Poutini Plan (TTPP), Lois Easton, says the revised noise boundaries will allow for an increased allowance for aircraft traffic, as well as bigger aircraft at Hokitika Airport. The TTPP is a combined planning initiative involving four local councils on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island. The initiative aims to streamline local council plans. Noise boundaries are areas near the airport that are impacted by the noise of aircraft operating at the airport.
The new noise boundaries would allow for the introduction of 70-seat ATR aircraft at Hokitika Airport, says Easton. It would affect a large residential area, including a future building at Westland High School, she adds.
Flight tracking software shows the airport is currently served by Air New Zealand providing twice daily flights on weekdays and a daily flight on weekends to and from Christchurch Airport. Air New Zealand uses 50-seat De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Dash 8-300 aircraft on this route.
The new noise boundaries at Greymouth Airport would affect a hospital and four residential properties, she says.
The Franz Josef helipad has changed its helicopter approach path after consulting with acoustic consultancy Marshall Day Acoustics, she says.
The Franz Josef helipad provides access for tourists to the popular Franz Josef Glacier.
New buildings will be required to abide by noise insulation standards, but current buildings will not need to be updated, she says.
Picture Source: NZPA/Ross Setford
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