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Resolution
number GBI/2023/23
MOVED by Chairperson I Fordham, seconded by
Deputy Chairperson P O'Shea:
That the Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board:
a) note the findings of the Compliance and
Monitoring report.
b) provide the following feedback after
considering the contents of the report:
i)
acknowledge mana
whenua letter (page 8 of the tabled Notice of Motion of 22 March 2022) which
states concerns for little consideration for their intrinsic values to
safeguard our whenua and moana.
ii)
Aotea Great Barrier
is a quiet sanctuary for residents and visitors alike with a mostly ambient
natural soundscape and minimal manmade noise within the Hauraki Gulf Marine
Park. Rotary aircraft / helicopters typically fly low to the earth with high
levels of noise and air turbidity.
iii)
Aotea Great Barrier
and our surrounding motu are of high conservation value as places of
environmental protection and restoration. Over 60 per cent of the island is
Department of Conservation estate. The proliferation of residential
helicopters pads and the subsequent greater enablement of local helicopter
flights and coastal landings will negatively impact our local biodiversity
such as endangered species Black Petrel and Cooks Petrel.
iv)
confirm the
resolutions passed in regards to the Notice of Motion report on the 22 March
2022 business meeting agenda (as per tabled document) and notes that in the
past 16 months, 10 helipad applications have been consented and one is in
process.
v)
support immediate
implementation of Option 2 Early Implementation of National Planning Standard
- NPS15 for helicopter noise measurement to exclude 4.3 use of averaging,
noting it is low cost and can be put in place with urgency.
vi)
further to v) also
identify that this is just an interim step but does not substantively address
the matter of helicopter management with regards to ecological environmental
impacts and serenity soundscape retention across Aotea Great Barrier.
vii)
support Option 4
for a Plan change to AUP/ Plan modification to HGI Plan – helicopter
rules – introducing Prohibited Activity status for helicopter activity
in residential zones (HGI Plan and AUP); and changing activity status of
Restricted Discretionary Activities to become Discretionary Activities (HGI
Plan only).
viii)
further to vii)
given there is unrestricted scope for consideration of cultural,
environmental and other matters under the Coastal Policy Statement and this
is vital to the conservation status of the motu and acknowledging mana whenua
values.
ix)
highlight the HGI
Plan originally allowed helipads due to limited aircraft infrastructure,
however, alongside mana whenua, we believe the existing Claris and Okiwi
airfields offer sufficient accessibility and capacity for emergency,
commercial and private helicopters. The airfields are within the framework of
the NZCAA with approved flight paths, existing compliance monitoring and
biosecurity practices.
x)
request Auckland
Council work with regulators to develop clear flight corridors across and
around Aotea Great Barrier. This must be used by private and commercial
aircraft/helicopter operators so to give effect to managing noise and wash
spill to maintain the existing tranquil soundscape for people and bird life.
CARRIED
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