NZFF

Posted: **Thu Jan 18, 2007 5:37 pm**

A petition is being launched to save Paraparaumu airport from development.

The Government took the land from its private owners under the Public Works Act in 1940 to establish a training airport north of Wellington.

If the land is no longer required, the Crown is obliged to offer the land back to its original owners, but ten years ago it was sold to businessman Graham Cole.

Mr Cole has now done a deal with an Auckland developer who plans to build an industrial park on the site.

The original owners of the land are petitioning the Government to stop the development.

Time for NZFF to show its support with some action :thumbup:

Posted: **Thu Jan 18, 2007 5:59 pm**

Where do I sign!

Posted: **Thu Jan 18, 2007 6:34 pm**

Dunno found the story on the TV3 website

Posted: **Thu Jan 18, 2007 7:14 pm**

Count me in too.

This has been brewing for some years. Large retail developments, new housing subdivisions, car yards etc have all but enveloped Paraparaumu in recent years. A couple of years back you could drive past and see the airfield or walk up to the fence and see the parked aircraft, but now you have to ask the relevant car dealers permission to walk through their lot if you want to be able to view the airfield!

When Mr Cole bought the airfield it was to stop the developers covering it with houses and he made a series of very public announcements about he would stop developers ever getting onto the airfield and about how he was even looking to expand the facilities...

...guess he's changed his mind as soon as someone opened a big chequebook <_<

Posted: **Thu Jan 18, 2007 8:41 pm**

And me, post details of how we can get active with this once someone knows.

Posted: **Tue Jan 23, 2007 9:37 pm**

This really gets my blood boiling!

The first mistake was selling the land to Cole as he has absolutely no interest what so ever in aviation.

I thought the airport had been brought by a new group of people who actually had an interest in aviation?

Mailman

Posted: **Sat Jan 27, 2007 3:39 pm**

So I guess we are no closer to knowing whats going on with this?

Posted: **Sat Jan 27, 2007 3:52 pm**

Why build more industrial stuff etc. We have enoguh, don't we? plus Paraparaumu is probably the place where i'll get a PPL cause my Dad knows an instructor there.

Posted: **Sat Jan 27, 2007 4:05 pm**

Exactly Kelburn, why get chased by Boeing's at NZWN, Paraparaumu is a great place to fly!

Posted: **Sun Jan 28, 2007 3:12 pm**

Not to mention the cheaper landing fees