On 1 July Hawke's Bay Airport will be Corporatised. The significance of this should not be underestimated. It basically allows the airport to function as a company, without many of the strings attached with the Government as a shareholder. This is the first significant change in the corporate model since 1967.
Next week a new Board will be named, which will include two new faces. These people will be charged with running a commercial venture like any other business. Getting to this point has taken years and has been full of frustration as the region has sought for the Government to release some control.
In my view, the airport is one of our most significant yet underutilised assets. It is at a stage just like the Port of Napier was before it moved into containerisation. These directors and the owner had a vision, and we now have one of the best Ports in the country.
Most community focus is on the runway extension, and when it is going to be completed. It is on target to be done by mid 2011. There are still hurdles to be crossed along the way surrounding the leasing of some Landcorp Land and the introduction of a passenger departure levy, but I am confident these can be resolved.
The 10 million dollar investment in the runway extension is like any other long term investment in the region. It should be seen just like our roads. It is a key piece of infrastructure, and we will be pleased to have it as the region grows in the next 50 years.
The current recession has meant that the airline industry is under pressure, and Air New Zealand has reduced the number flights in and out of the region to reflect this. However, our thinking must remain on the future. A 1950 metre runway is likely to be all we need to cater for domestic jets and possible short haul international flights.
Another significant factor than can now be realised relates to the commercial development of the airport land itself. Airports make most of their money out of associated activities, rather than what is on the runway. The development of the new Air Ambulance service on site is the first example of this.
So roll on 1 July. It marks a significant milestone in the development of the region and I look forward to the new board doing some exciting things at our airport.
I’m Lawrence Yule
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
Air quality
Yesterday the Minister of the Environment, Nick Smith, visited the region to announce a major review of the Air Quality Standards which threaten the traditional use of fire places in Napier and Hastings.
I welcome this announcement as a pragmatic and realistic response to this region’s outcry about what such standards mean. The region’s leaders and local MP’s have asked the Government to have a look at this for us and they have.
I am also pleased to have been asked to be part of the five-member review panel to give a local community perspective. The review will be completed by the end of this year, including some sort of submission process.
Many will ask what all the fuss is about.
Simply, there are some world standards about fine particulate matter which gets into people’s lungs that affect life expectancy and health. In the last five years the Hawke's Bay Regional Council has measured these levels and, in Hastings and Napier for the past three years, these threshold levels have been breached. Last year, in particular, the levels in Hastings were significantly breached.
Most of the pollution is coming from household fires on cold winters nights. The current standards say that if these conditions are breached by 2013 the “no renewals” or “new industrial consents” can be issued. This will have a major impact on our regional economy.
The only option available to the Hawke's Bay Regional Council, to reduce the levels of pollution, is to ban certain types of fires and encourage changes to more efficient burning types of heating by 2013 at a cost of 95 million dollars. For our community this is completely unacceptable and impractical. To its credit the Hawke's Bay Regional Council has put some real money into a programme that will help with the costs of making changes to peoples fireplaces.
It has always been my contention that there are far worse health outcomes from being cold in the winter than a small amount of air pollution. At night most people are inside keeping warm.
The Government’s recently announced 330 million dollar package to insulate 180,000 homes is to be applauded. In Hastings we are well on the way to being one of the first cities to be able to take up this offer.
Combine this with yesterday’s review of the Air Quality Standards and it would appear some common sense is being returned to the ways we heat and insulate our homes. For this, I thank the Government.
I welcome this announcement as a pragmatic and realistic response to this region’s outcry about what such standards mean. The region’s leaders and local MP’s have asked the Government to have a look at this for us and they have.
I am also pleased to have been asked to be part of the five-member review panel to give a local community perspective. The review will be completed by the end of this year, including some sort of submission process.
Many will ask what all the fuss is about.
Simply, there are some world standards about fine particulate matter which gets into people’s lungs that affect life expectancy and health. In the last five years the Hawke's Bay Regional Council has measured these levels and, in Hastings and Napier for the past three years, these threshold levels have been breached. Last year, in particular, the levels in Hastings were significantly breached.
Most of the pollution is coming from household fires on cold winters nights. The current standards say that if these conditions are breached by 2013 the “no renewals” or “new industrial consents” can be issued. This will have a major impact on our regional economy.
The only option available to the Hawke's Bay Regional Council, to reduce the levels of pollution, is to ban certain types of fires and encourage changes to more efficient burning types of heating by 2013 at a cost of 95 million dollars. For our community this is completely unacceptable and impractical. To its credit the Hawke's Bay Regional Council has put some real money into a programme that will help with the costs of making changes to peoples fireplaces.
It has always been my contention that there are far worse health outcomes from being cold in the winter than a small amount of air pollution. At night most people are inside keeping warm.
The Government’s recently announced 330 million dollar package to insulate 180,000 homes is to be applauded. In Hastings we are well on the way to being one of the first cities to be able to take up this offer.
Combine this with yesterday’s review of the Air Quality Standards and it would appear some common sense is being returned to the ways we heat and insulate our homes. For this, I thank the Government.
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