This evening, we sent the following update directly to all WSG members. The judicial review of QLDC’s actions and decisions relating to Wānaka Airport starts in the morning …

Wānaka Airport – important update from WSG

It’s been a long time coming, but tomorrow we finally have our “day in court”.  In fact the judicial review hearing is set to take a full week, with over 10,000 pages of evidence, including 19 affidavits from the WSG team, and detailed legal submissions being made by our QCs.

Our legal team has spent hundreds of hours during the last 12 months preparing for this case, supported by the wider WSG team in Wānaka. After years of frustrations, blocked information and lack of transparency from QLDC and QAC, we’re very pleased to have the opportunity to put our concerns about their handling of Wānaka Airport before a High Court Judge. Even more so in light of our recent discovery of Council’s $2.7m spend on Project Pure as a direct result of the airport lease (details here).

The hearing is taking place in Queenstown. Because of tight Covid restrictions, a small court room, and the level of media interest in this case, there is little space. So we’ll be providing updates to our members at least once a day, as time permits.

Thank you to all of our members for your ongoing and significant support. We’ll be in touch.

Many thanks
Michael Ross
Chair, Wānaka Stakeholders Group Inc.