NZ: Hastings Golf Club development sparks concerns from local aerodrome
A proposal to develop the Hastings Golf Club with visitor accommodation and residential development is opposed by a neighbouring aerodrome and a car club, which are concerned that any future residents would complain about noise.
The golf club has partnered with Golf Sport Development Limited Partnership (GSDLP) and lodged a private plan change request with Hastings District Council that would see the club’s 82.12 hectare site moved from Plains Production Zone to a new “Heretaunga Golf Tourism Zone”.
The proposal said new zoning would enable the development of a high-class golfing facility and about 170 residential dwellings, including some offering short-term visitor accommodation.
It would “bring something that is unique to Hastings and maybe allow more people to embrace the things Hastings has to offer, rather than coming in for the day or skipping the destination altogether”.
The proposal said the accommodation and clubhouse developments were in an area that was not likely to be affected by noise, and that all dwellings would include appropriate acoustic treatments and would incorporate no complaint covenants.
The aero club noted the aerodrome was recognised as the backup to Hawke’s Bay Airport in the event of tsunami, inundation or earthquake.
It said the plan change would have potential safety and reverse sensitivity effects that could not be mitigated.
It said the existing buffer zone from residential areas should be maintained.
“The applicant’s proposal contemplates a cluster of up to 170 residential units beneath a busy flight circuit area directly under a low level runway approach used by helicopters, often with sling loads,” the aero club said.
The aero club said the “no complaint covenants” proposed would not mitigate the effects.
In an appeal against that resource consent the court said that while such covenants “might avoid or mitigate the secondary effect of the ensuing complaints upon the emitting activity”, they were not “a panacea for reverse sensitivity issues”.
Another to oppose the application was the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association of NZ, which said allowing any development at the golf club presented “a significant risk to the continued operation” of the aerodrome and and “could jeopardize its ongoing viability”.
Numerous submissions in opposition were received by members of the Hawke’s Bay Car Club, which is based near the golf course, and these were also concerned about reverse sensitivity from residents who might complain about noise.
Chair of the Board of Management at Hawke’s Bay Golf Club Shaun Potaka said the club’s “primary concern lies in the significant environmental impacts that this change would have on the local ecosystem and the surrounding environment”.
Potaka said his club acknowledged the desire to increase recreational facilities in the area, but “the loss of critical agricultural land, the threat to biodiversity, changes in water management, and the long-term environmental consequences make this proposal unwise and unsustainable”.
The plan change request will be the subject of a hearing at a date that is yet to be set.
If the current plan change request was approved several other resource consents and permits would be required before the development could proceed. These include a subdivision consent, and a wastewater discharge permit.
