A group opposed to an airport at Tarras is seeking the views of residents in the wider area as it continues to build what it believes is the case against the proposal.
Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
Christchurch Airport has bought up 750 hectares of farmland in the small Central Otago village as it investigates the possibility of building an international airport there.
On the other side of the ledger is Sustainable Tarras, a group of locals who oppose the plan on environmental and amenity grounds.
The group surveyed the community last year with 83 percent of the respondents saying the Christchurch Airport project was a bad idea or a very bad idea.
However, that view was far from unanimous as only 41 percent responded to the survey and several well-known farming families in the area had publicly stated they were at least receptive to what Christchurch Airport had on the table.
This week both groups spoke at the Cromwell Community Board meeting.
A spokesperson for Christchurch Airport said they provided an update to the board as "part of our ongoing engagement with various stakeholders".
Christchurch Airport had earlier said it would decide whether to proceed with the project by 2023, it offered no updated timeline in response to RNZ queries.
Sustainable Tarras spokesperson Marilyn Duxson said the group remained skeptical about the plan on multiple fronts - including the economic case.
"I think the worst outcome of all would be if we had the disturbance of the community, the environmental effects and a failed project. That would be just the worst," Dr Duxson said.
The group wanted to see Christchurch Airport's business case for an airport at Tarras.
"We do really want to see a detailed business plan from them," Dr Duxson said.
"No one we've talked to in the business community . . . can see what the business plan is - who is going to be flying in and what freight is going to be coming in and going out that can justify such a massive spend."
Sustainable Tarras would survey Lake Hāwea households on their feelings on the airport next month followed by Wānaka and Cromwell later this year.