Protect Wanaka 
7 Key Reasons
We’ve summarised 7 key reasons to protect Wanaka (or put another way: why Wanaka does not need and should not accept a jet-capable airport right now). There are various versions of this, depending on the level of detail you want.
Below are the seven reasons, in just a couple of words. Beneath that version is one which is a little more detailed. For those seeking deep levels of detail, we have a more detailed document online, complete with links to relevant evidence, information, research and media reports.
Please note that this page and the detailed document were launched in early March 2020, just before the impacts of COVID-19 really hit New Zealand, and before the lockdown. The 7 key reasons still stand as fundamental reasons why a jet capable airport at Wanaka is a bad idea for the Upper Clutha right now. Despite current impacts on tourism and aviation, QAC now has substantial ownership and control of Wanaka Airport, unlawfully granted by QLDC, and this means that QAC is able to move forward on development of a jet capable airport at Wanaka sometime in the future.
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The 7 Key Reasons in just a few words.
- Environmental impact.
- Overtourism.
- Poor local democracy.
- Infrastructure.
- We don’t need it.
- It has to be big.
- Not future fit.
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The 7 Key Reasons in a little more detail.
If you want full detail, complete with background facts and links to more information, see the full version here. Otherwise, the version below is a quick and easy read.
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#1 – It would have an unacceptable impact on the environment
- There’s a climate emergency at QLDC.
- There are well documented concerns about the impact of tourism on the environment.
- Are we really going to kill the goose that lays the golden egg, as suggested by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Simon Upton?
- Even worse: killing “all the geese.”
- There are many recent examples of Councils and Courts having rejected airport development or expansions on environmental grounds.
- Aviation emissions are significant, but the “knock-on” effect of other emissions which a jet airport would create are also massive.
- The noise impacts of a jet airport are significant and far-reaching
- The likely impacts of climate change on the Queenstown Lakes District are clearly documented.
- Here is the very detailed version of the “7 Key Reasons” – updated frequently.
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#2 – It puts us at real risk of overtourism.
- Tourists are prepared to fly in, and then drive some distance to key destinations.
- Aspen should be a lesson to us all, especially QLDC.
- We’re already barely coping with the tourist numbers.
- We don’t need an airport to grow tourism in the district.
- An illogical push for unsustainable tourism numbers is against to global flow.
- Here is the very detailed version of the “7 Key Reasons” – updated frequently.
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#3 – QLDC is acting undemocratically, and against our wishes.
- There has been no real consultation, no real community involvement.
- QAC and QLDC have no social licence/community mandate to put jets into Wanaka.
- Residents are deeply concerned about growth, overtourism, the environment and retaining their quality of life.
- The people of the Upper Clutha simply don’t want this.
- These are not Wanaka’s problems to solve.
- Here is the very detailed version of the “7 Key Reasons” – updated frequently.
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#4 – It will put pressure on our infrastructure, not improve it.
- Transport infrastructure can’t cope.
- Other infrastructure can’t cope.
- The new runway is literally “in the poo”.
- Giving QAC the ability to move Project Pure should have been subject to community consultation.
- Wanaka’s infrastructure cannot sustain accelerated growth.
- Spend money on essential infrastructure, not a second airport.
- Here is the very detailed version of the “7 Key Reasons” – updated frequently.
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#5 – Wanaka and the Upper Clutha don’t actually need it.
- No other town under 30,000 people has jets.
- No other town or city has two airports.
- The South Island already has three jet airports with capacity.
- A regional service to CHC would make more sense.
- Utilising Invercargill airport makes more sense.
- No mountain or ski resort anywhere in the world has two Code-C jet-capable airports within 51km of each other, even though many resorts are much larger than Queenstown.
- There is a viable alternative to jets: turbo props.
- Nelson does really well just with turbo props, so why can’t we?
- QLDC’s statistics and logic about “local need” are questionable.
- Convenience for some people is not reason enough to build a jet airport.
- Wanaka residents didn’t move here for the airport.
- Here is the very detailed version of the “7 Key Reasons” – updated frequently.
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#6 – QLDC and QAC are not being transparent about what’s in store.
- Eventually, and as soon as it can be achieved by QAC, a $400 million spend will lead to at least 1 flight every 10 minutes.
- The claim of “a few flights a day” is disingenuous.
- Here is the very detailed version of the “7 Key Reasons” – updated frequently.
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#7 – A jet airport is not a smart move for our future.
- A jet airport, built to cater for today’s technology, is not a smart move for our future.
- Here is the very detailed version of the “7 Key Reasons” – updated frequently.
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For the most detailed version – click here. This more detailed document is updated in real time.
Find out more
- What is QAC planning at Wanaka Airport?
- No real community consultation? Why not?
- Check out our 7 Key Reasons as to why this is a bad idea for the Upper Clutha.
- What are the solutions?
- What can you do?