Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
MP for Maungakiekie

6 December 2013
Media Statement

Maungakiekie MP welcomes answers to smart approaches flight path questions

Maungakiekie MP Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says he is pleased that key community questions around the recently completed Northern Smart Approaches flight path trials have been answered.

“A set of questions on the Smart Approaches trials had arisen from two public meetings held recently (on 12 September and 10 October). I put this set of questions to the three partners for response. These are Airways New Zealand, Auckland Airport and Board of Airline Representatives of New Zealand (BARNZ)”.

“ In an attempt to have these questions answered , I facilitated a further meeting with key community representatives and Auckland Airport, Airways and BARNZ on 21 October”, Mr Lotu-Iiga said.

“In order to give greater community feedback I also attended the Aircraft Noise Community Consultation Group (ANCCG) meeting (as an observer) on 19 November”, Mr Lotu-Iiga said.

“Backed by representatives from Auckland Council and a number of Local Boards (including my electorate’s local board Maungakiekie-Tamaki), I re-emphasised the reality of residents’ concerns to the group”, Mr Lotu-Iiga said.

“I also pointed out that some of the residents’ concerns relate to flights which are not part of the smart approaches programme”.

Mr Lotu-Iiga said that he understood that the analysis of residents’ feedback and flight data will be addressed within the draft report for consultation which is due in March 2014.

“I asked for information on how each constituent query was being handled and suggested some form of trend analysis factoring in location, timing and frequency of each query.”

“I am pleased that although the response was that such an analysis was not being done, that it was possible to look at going forward”, Mr Lotu-Iiga noted.

Mr Lotu-Iiga further stated that while he had not yet received a copy, the group agreed to send out a joint statement on the outcome of the meeting.

A media release by Airways has informed people of the end of trial process. They also outlined a draft report on the trial which will be available for industry and community feedback in late March 2014. A final report with recommendations is then expected to be issued later in the year.

Residents can continue to provide feedback on the SMART approaches trial by calling 09-256 8133 anytime or emailing noise@aucklandairport.co.nz.

--ENDS—

Notes to Editor:
Attached list of questions and answers
FINAL2_community_QA.PDF

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