New Zealand Defence Force
Te Ope Kaatua O Aotearoa

Media Release

Thursday February 5, 2004

Feedback on Whenuapai

The New Zealand Defence Force is planning a further series of public meetings to provide feedback to local communities on the public submission process. New Zealand Defence Force Director of Property Rationalisation, Peter Bollmann, said today that providing feedback to submitters was an important aspect of any consultation process.

The NZDF have been consulting on the future use options for Whenuapai since October 2003. They held a series of public meetings in the Waitakere, North Shore and Rodney areas in November, inviting submissions from the public and other interested parties.

“At those public meetings, we invited people to express their views on what the future use for Whenuapai should be. We received an astounding 2257 submissions, and we want to come back to the communities to let them see the outcome of those submissions”, he said.

Meetings have been arranged for:

Whenuapai 17 February 7.30 Ratepayers Hall
Hobsonville 18 February 7.30 Hobsonville Motor Inn
Herald Island 19 February 7.30 Herald Island Community Hall
Greenhithe 24 February 7.30 Greenhithe Hall
Glenfield 25 February 7.30 War Memorial Hall
Paremoremo 26 February 7.30 Paremoremo Club

Newspaper advertising and flyers will be used to notify residents of the meetings, and details will be posted on the internet at www.nzdf.mil.nz.

In the meantime, Defence officials are continuing to meet with Local Authorities and the Auckland Regional Council in order to gain a better understanding of the strategic and planning implications for the future use of Whenuapai from a local authority perspective.

“In particular we wish to understand the various council’s objectives or concerns relating to employment, transport and related services infrastructure, environmental and sustainability issues and housing,” Mr Bollmann said. “We welcome all views on the future use options. Councils requested we meet with them again this year to assist them in their considerations. We look forward to some very positive engagement.”

The base will become surplus to Defence requirements as the Royal NZ Air force is consolidated at the Ohakea Base. Officials expect to report to Government on the future use options and the appropriate disposal process for Whenuapai in April.

ENDS/

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