Airport gains approvals for bridging Jenkins Creek

Nelson Airport has gained resource consent to build bridges over Jenkins Creek and create a new carparking area as it looks to deliver the next phase of development in its 2050 Masterplan.

Nelson Airport chief executive officer Brendan Cook says a key part of the masterplan is the development of land at the southern end of the airport precinct for aircraft hangars and other airport-related industry.

As this land is currently the airport’s Long Stay Carpark, the airport also identified a need to find an alternative carpark location to replace these spaces.

“This is an important development for Nelson Airport, ensuring there’s sufficient land available for businesses wanting to operate here and providing for a thriving aviation and related services industry in our region,” Brendan said.

“We’ve just received council consent to open up a landlocked piece of airport-owned land on the eastern side of Jenkins Creek. As work progresses on our Southern Development Area, we’ll look to build vehicle and pedestrian bridges from Trent Drive across Jenkins Creek, opening up a carparking area with roughly double the capacity of the existing Long Stay Carpark.”

Brendan said the timing of development was dependent on market interest in the Southern Development Area, and the airport’s capital budget planning. The next step was to carry out detailed design for the bridges.

“We are likely to carry out some early enabling works within the six months, such as removing vegetation in the area where the new bridges and associated carriageways will be constructed.”

Public cycling and pedestrian access routes in the area via the cycleway and Airport Perimeter Walkway will be maintained. Environmental considerations will be paramount in the development, and the consent includes a volunteered condition that the airport significantly enhance the flora along a section of Jenkins Creeks. Species surveys and management plans will be developed. High-quality stormwater and sediment management plans will also be integral to the projects.