Business Central July 2021

| 49 Taupo - Taupo Airport Development to future-proof airport T Richard Loader The Taupo Airport apron is capable of accommodating two ATR regional sized turboprop aircraft, one corporate jet and a smaller twin engine aircraft at the same time. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT W hat Taupo Airport lacks in physical size it makes up for in the pure scale of its day-to-day operations and that is about to be reflected in major development work designed to future proof the airport over a twenty year horizon and beyond. “What we’re about to do in terms of devel- opment will catapult us into the future and provide a really strong strategic asset because of its key location in the centre of the North Island.” A Council Controlled Organisation and joint- ly owned by the Taupo District Council and Ministry of Transport, Taupo Airport sits on land that was acquired from local iwi for the purpose of building an airport. While commercial operators have come and gone and the airport has continued to grow in operational footprint, the airport’s key infra- structure has remained mostly unchanged for the last five decades. Besides a dated ‘70s style terminal building which is too small, the airport’s infrastructure includes an apron capable of accommodating two ATR regional sized turboprop aircraft, one corporate jet and a smaller twin engine aircraft at the same time. The existing runway has been assessed as fit for purpose for the next 15 to 20 years. Outside of the scheduled passenger servic- es, the airport is home to a very broad range of businesses for its size. Rhys says compared to larger regional airports people are often surprised to learn that between 300 to 350 people work on the airport site on any given workday. “Skydiving is a big ticket item for us and always has been. We’re still the busiest drop zone for skydiving in the Southern Hemi- sphere. “The Greenlea Rescue Helicopter is based here and operated by Philips Search & Rescue Trust covering all of the Central North Island. That’s in a very strategic location and very busy.” A broad range of commercial helicopter op- erations based at the Airport include agricul- ture, fire fighting, lifting and mountain activi- ties servicing ski fields, along with heli-hunting and fishing operations. There are also a lot fixed and rotor wing aircraft providing scenic flights around the region. Supporting those businesses is a number of aircraft engineering and heli-maintenance facilities. Following early discussions about the need for airport development to facilitate passen- ger operations including terminal, carpark and apron, $5 million in funding was obtained through the Provincial Development Unit. In addition Taupo District Council and the Ministry of Transport added an even amount each, bringing the allocation up to $9.2 mil- lion. “That number was based on exploratory work done by the Council,” explains Rhys. “We collaborated with MOT, CAA and local architects and are now at the stage where we’ve gone out to tender for our construction companies. We have a full car park design, an apron extension design and a complete greenfield terminal site slightly south of the existing terminal. The exiting terminal will be demolished once the new one is completed and the old space transformed to landscapes gardens. For all intents and purposes we will have a complete new airport facility.” Rhys says the hope is that local contractors will be used for the construction and civil projects. “The new terminal will be twice the size enabling us to facilitate more aircraft if the demand is there, and bolstering the transport options for the district. And we will be able to facilitate newer aircraft. “The terminal will have newer technology including a baggage reclaim belt and security facilitation and we aim to deliver a barrier arm/ticket free car park where people can pay by their phone or Apps.” Rhys expects the car park project will com- mence in three months with the aspiration to have the entire programme completed by October 2022. 24 Hour service throughout Taupo and Turangi. Tel: 07 377 4806 or Email: admin@bme.net.nz Domestic | Commercial | Rural | Horticulture Data | Automation | Residential | Industrial Agriculture | Audiovisual | Telephone Maintenance | Servicing 65 Matai St P 07 378 6067 W eandj.nz SPECIALISING IN • House Drainage • Civil & Commercial • Sewer • Stormwater • Soakholes E & J Contractors are proud to be associated with the Taupo Airport upgrade • Water Reticulation • Butt & Fusion Welding • Wastewater Treatment Systems • Fibreglass Jointing & Fabrication • Pump Stations