Auckland Council votes in favour of amendment to helipad ban Notice of Motion
Photo:
RNZ/Maia Ingoe
Auckland Council have voted in favour of an amendment to councillor Mike Lee's Notice of Motion to ban the private use of helipads in residential areas.
The amendment requests staff seek a determination through the Environment Court through the Resource Consent Appeal Process or a declaration from the Environment Court on the activity status of private helipads.
The amendment was put forward by councillor Richard Hills and labelled as a "stitch up" and "ambush" by councillor Lee.
This in relation to the Auckland Unitary Plan. Councillors are yet to decide on the Hauraki Gulf Islands Section of the Auckland Council District Plan.
The meeting has been ongoing since 10am on Wednesday.
It comes after Waiheke locals said Auckland Council was ignoring the wants of the communities by allowing a proliferation of private helipads.
Last month, independent hearing commissioners appointed by the council approved rich-listers Anna Mowbray and Ali Williams's request for a private helipad at their Westmere property, despite
overwhelming public opposition
.
At the council's Policy and Planning Committee on Thursday morning, Kim Whitaker from Quiet Sky Waiheke was one of several speakers calling on the council to decline private helicopter resource consents in residential areas.
He said the constant flow of helicopters was incredibly frustrating and disruptive for residents.
"You can demonstrate that this committee is made up of people who believe in democratic principles and are not going to enable a small minority of people to literally fly roughshod over a majority."
He said there were nearly 70 private helipads on Waiheke.
RNZ contacted Ali Williams and Anna Mowbray's lawyer for comment ahead of the motion of notice and the appeal in the Environment Court.
While there was no response, the couple have said in the media that they were deeply disappointed with the legal challenge and the cost to public resources it will use.
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