Hood Aerodrome masterplanning underway

Masterton people will get to have their say on the planned infrastructure upgrades at the Hood Aerodrome in a community workshop tonight hosted by the Masterton District Council [MDC].

In 2020, Finance Minister Grant Robertson announced funding for Hood Aerodrome as part of the government’s package to kick-start economies postcovid-19.

The funding from the government would provide $10 million for infrastructure upgrades at the Aerodrome.

MDC plans to spend $17 million on developing Hood Aerodrome, which includes the $10 million provided by the government.

The Hood Aerodrome upgrade project would consist of work to widen and extend the runway, including road realignments, lighting, electrical, water, and wastewater upgrades, and additional security.

MDC said on its website that some of the work, such as sewer infrastructure upgrades, had already been completed and it was now developing a masterplan for Hood Aerodrome to ensure it met the needs of users and the wider community for at least the next 20 years.

MDC wants to develop an agreed masterplan that allowed future developments to be planned with confidence.

At the War Memorial Stadium, the community workshop would allow an opportunity for input from the community and other stakeholders before detailed design work starts.

There are three masterplan concepts to be discussed in the community workshop.

The first keeps Manaia Rd open without changes to vehicle routes through residential areas, but limits development potential beyond 20 years.

The second also keeps Manaia Rd open but makes land with unimpeded runway access available for development beyond 20 years.

The third involves diverting and closing Manaia Rd.

As well as completing critical infrastructure upgrades, it was expected this work would also increase the resilience of the Wairarapa community, especially in case of natural disasters in the region, and provide access for medical flights.

Other future proposals for the Hood Aerodrome include a safeguarded location for an aviation attraction and related commercial ventures such as Wings Over Wairarapa and the National Aerobatics Championships; additional paved aprons and taxiways; safeguarding space for the development of the terminal and related facilities, and for private and commercial hangar facilities; and space for the growth of general aviation, including a flight school.

MDC said the Hood Aerodrome masterplan would not detail precisely what developments would happen in each part of the aerodrome but would set out where such development should happen.

The MDC’S contract with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Provincial Development Unit is for two stages of work.

Detailed planning of the runway extension and road realignment is intended to be completed by June next 2022, with physical work to follow.

The community workshop would be held at the War Memorial Stadium in Masterton tonight from 6pm-8pm.

You can also email your thoughts to submissions@mstn.govt.nz.

• For more details on the Hood Aerodrome master plans, visit mstn.govt.nz/council-2/ projects/hood-aerodromeproject.