Council wants to use reserves for runway

Press, 2 April 1980, Page 1

Council wants to use reserves for runway

The Christchurch City Council should consider using its half of the Govern-ment-shared airport reserves to finance a runway extension if the Government would not contribute, Cr Mollie Clark said yesterday. Earlier, the Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) had dampened hopes for an early start on the $4.2 million job when he opened Christchurch Airport’s new international passenger arrivals terminal. Mr Muldoon said . the council had not justified the need for an extension that would serve long-haul passenger and cargo flights.. Cr Clark said, “I understand that that really is not the reason, just an excuse. The Government wants to nurture Wellington and other airports.” She told the council s public utilities committee that the Government was ‘‘not acting' as a partner in this venture. The money is sitting in the bank, depreciating fast.” Telling the council to produce the demand for an extension before building it was like expecting a shopkeeper to "run a shop with no stock on the shelves, Cr Clark said. ‘‘We should tell the Government we will go alone, she said. „ . x The Mayor of Christchurch (Mr H. G. Hay) said, “It. looks as if we will end up this way” (doing the work with the. council’s half). But that possibility was not pursued yesterday, and no formal motion was put. . Cr R. Lester said it was a difficult situation, with Mr Muldoon saying the council was not allowed to use its airport surplus to invest in something (the

runway extension) that would produce income. Cr Clark said she had long advocated use of the council’s airport funds to do the job. “We -should tell the Government, and get on with it. We are stunted in our growth, by deliberate Government actions,” she said. . ...

She saw the denial as “part of the Prime Minister’s anti-Christchurch Airport and anti-South Island stance..” ' '

In his speech, Mr Muldoon said: “Not all airports are currently able to meet operating expenses from revenue, and many do not provide an adequate return on capital investment. The Government intends to

rectify this situation and to obtain a more even spread across the airport network of the funds available for airport development.” Several councillors said that could mean the Government was considering siphoning off some local airport surplus funds to other airports. ... But Mr Hay said Mr Muldoon had'later assured him that that was not- the case. . The City Council will: ask the ; Prime Minister to clarify his remarks.

South Island interests have been pressing for a runway extension by about 900 m to 3300 m, but Mr Muldoon said such an extension would cost about $4.2 million.

The Government would also have to provide navigational aids and relocate approach lights at an additional cost to the taxpayer of $750,000. Mr Muldoon said: “The Government cannot authorise expenditure of this size without first having evidence that the facility is necessary or of tangible value.

“Experience to date has not been encouraging for the prospects of long-haul operations. into Christchurch.” . -

•the. council and South .. Island tourist interests V werft-fe keen to see that maximum use was made of the " airport, and the Government shared r this concern. ■ fej ■■ “Indeed, the Govemmeniji?in its White Paper on external aviation policy presented to Parliament , In' December . last year,. said that 'it .will continue to encourage ’ the'"operation. ’ of. • both :: scheduled and nonscheduled air services'into Christchurch.” he said. i “The Government, can do no more than -thjs.'h. Local interests must play;, their part in attracting custom/'lf the demand arises I am confident .that the .air-., lines will r OO- ' 0 "'’ ”

ft" At the terminal opening, ft Mr Hay said the city coun- " cil believed, it should pro- . vide the extension so air-' ft Tines would consider ,’ Christchurch as an alter-’ native to Auckland, “esft ’ pecially since the South •Island, is so well-endowed ft- with tourist attractions and • has under-utilised firstclass hotel accommodation. “The history of • Christ- j church Airport has been that it has tried to keep ahead of demand and pro- . vide a facility which will generate - 4 greater usage, . rather than wait for the j patronage to develop.” ] ■ "Last .week Mr Hay-had.-; received a letter’- from?' ■Laker Airwavs of Great lift that air-’ line .would need a runway of at least 34,500 m to 36,000 m for its DCIO-30 series aircraft if they were to fly into Christchurch.