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Judicial review of airport decision begins
PHOTO: Supplied
Julian Miles QC: the biggest issue this community has faced in a very long time and that QLDC's and QAC's plans impact on every element that makes Wānaka what it is [...] and are of enormous importance.
Some of the Upper Clutha residents who attended the High Court hearing in Queenstown on the second day of the five-day judicial review. From left: Michael Ross (WSG chair), Yvonne Perkins (Luggate Community Assn member), David Hawkins (Luggate Community Assn committee member), Graeme Perkins (Chair Luggate Community Assn), Terry Hetherington (commercial pilot/WSG core team ), and Noel Williams (WSG core team).
Pat Deavoll
editor@thewanakasun.co.nz
he Wānaka Stakeholders Group Inc (WSG) representing nearly 3,500 Upper Clutha residents opposed to the development of a second jet airport in the Queenstown Lakes region opened with its submissions in the High Court judicial review in Queenstown on Monday. WSG was asking a High Court judge to review the decisions made by QLDC in relation to their local airport, leading to the awarding of a 100 year "lease" of the airport, which they say is unlawful. In his opening submissions to the Court, Julian
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Miles QC described this as the "biggest issue this community has faced in a very long time" and that QLDC's and QAC's plans "impact on every element that makes Wānaka what it is [...] and are of enormous importance." WSG Chair, Michael Ross said that the group was relieved that the issue was now before the High Court. "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." On the second day of the hearing (Tuesday), WSG's legal team continued with detailed submissions to the Court. Julian Miles QC worked through more of the team's evidence contained in 20 affidavits, and then through some of the key documents before the Court. In the afternoon, Bob Hollyman QC continued with a deep-dive into the key legislation and case law which are relevant to the case. As well as some of WSG's core team who will attend all five days of the hearing, a contingent of
PHOTO: WSG
Upper Clutha residents were in the public gallery to witness the hearing and show their support on day two. WSG deputy chair, Mark Sinclair, said "This is a detailed and complex case involving over 10,000 pages of evidence. The amount of work undertaken by our legal team has been immense. We've been thoroughly impressed by the way the QCs have stepped through the complex details as the first two days have unfolded, and we're eager to hear what QLDC's and QAC's legal teams have to say in reply as the hearing unfolds." The hearing is set to finish tomorrow, with a decision from the Judge likely to be delivered later in the year.