Association To Host Meeting On Whenuapai Airbase

Glenfield Ratepayers will host a public meeting on 25th February when Ministry of Defence officials will announce the results of initials submissions made to the consultation document last December.

Ratepayers Chairman David Thornton will chair the meeting which will be held in the Glenfield War Memorial Hall, Hall Road, Glenfield at 7.30pm David Thornton promises to allow all members of the public the opportunity to ask questions of Defence officials and he proposes to get the feeling of residents about the future of Whenuapai, including the contentious issue of a proposed Commercial Airport being promoted by Waitakere City Council.

Mr Thornton says "There have been suggestions that a 'club' airfield might be suitable which could use the existing runway thus retaining it for possible future commercial use.

"However such a solution would place a planning 'blight' over much of Waitakere City and western parts of North Shore City.

"A decision for or against a commercial airport needs to be made during the progress of the current review.

"To make a decision now to meet a possible need for a second Auckland Airport in 40 or 50 years is unrealistic and would deter possible residential or industrial development for miles around.

"If there is a proven need for a second airport that proof should be made available now so that present residents can plan for their own future. "I urge all North Shore Residents to attend this important meeting both to receive information and to express their view on the future of Whenuapai when the airbase closes"

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