31 May 2016

More information sought on runway proposal

7:09 pm on 31 May 2016

Wellington Regional Council is requesting more information from Wellington Airport on its runway proposal.

Wellington Airport after a radar fault grounded planes on 23 June 2015.

Wellington Airport Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson

The airport wants to extend its runway by 355 metres into Cook Strait and filed for consent in April, asking for the application be heard in the Environment Court as soon as possible.

But the regional council said further details were needed, including information on the noise and traffic levels during construction, the impact of construction on Lyall Bay's recreational users, and how the proposed artificial surf reef will be constructed and maintained.

It also said the airport must seek an additional consent for stormwater discharges.

The application was publicly notified today.

The proposed runway extension has been widely criticised, with surfers worried it would damage the beach and pilots concerned it wasn't long enough.

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