Airport Slammed for Ignoring Milson Line Finding

By MILLER, Grant

Property developer Brian Green is miffed Palmerston North Airport ignored the findings of independent commissioners who said the airport should divert nearby Milson Line around the end of its runway, instead of getting the road closed.

That’s why his group, Palmerston North Industrial and Residential Developments Ltd, is appealing to the Environment Court.

“They’ve taken no notice of the commissioners’ recommendations,” he said yesterday.

Mr Green’s company is one of three parties to lodge objections against the airport. The other two are city men John Bent and Ray Christmas.

The airport’s plan to have Milson Line closed to create enough space off the end of the runway to meet new safety regulations was tossed out by the commissioners in October.

They said the airport should divert the road as mitigation.

However, the airport released its decision on the commissioners’ recommendations last month, accepting some and modifying others.

It tossed the Milson Line issue into the hands of Palmerston North City Council, which is responsible for a road-stopping process it is yet to trigger.

The council, which owns the airport, has agreed in principle to stop Milson Line, but is in negotiations with Manawatu District Council and Transit New Zealand over roading issues.

Mr Green, whose company owns land in the area, said if Milson Line is closed, it will take people in the area longer to get in to Palmerston North. He’s unsure that other roads in the vicinity – particularly Railway Road – will cope with extra traffic.

Mr Green emphasised that he is in favour of progress in Palmerston North, but a longer runway is not essential, he said.

Mr Christmas is expected to argue a tunnel under the runway hasn’t been given proper consideration.

Mr Bent has previously argued the airport is trying to shift the cost of its operations on to people who don’t use it. End of the road P17

(c) 2007 Evening Standard; Palmerston North, New Zealand. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.