Glenorchy Airstrip Reserve Management Plan - 2019 Review

QLDC resolved to accept transfer of the Glenorchy Airstrip from the Department of Conservation in 2013. The community had requested that QLDC manage the reserve, as they felt this was more appropriate. During DOC’s administration there had been two concessions issued to tourism operators (Skydive and Skytrek), minimal ground works and no monitoring of flights or use.

Following community consultation and a public hearing, QLDC adopted The Glenorchy Airstrip Reserve Management Plan (RMP) in August 2016. Since August 2016 the Council has implemented the following actions in accordance with the RMP:

• Creating a new access road, fencing and airstrip layout.
• Establishing the Glenorchy Airstrip Consultative Governance Committee with representatives from the Glenorchy Community Association, the neighbouring landowners, the operators and Council.
• Recording and monitoring of flights using the Automated Intelligent Movement Monitoring for Airports system.
• Licencing the commercial operators based at the airstrip and commencing the process of licencing Queenstown based operators.
• Setting landing and user fees.

The August 2016 RMP focused on establishment and improvement of records, management and the airstrip itself. As the RMP has been implemented, a number of challenges have become apparent around balancing tourism demand in Glenorchy with the low intensity commercial use of the airstrip, as well as taking wider environmental and social concerns into account. In addition, the airstrip environment has changed, with microlights no longer operating.

To update the RMP to be responsive, and to focus on ongoing management of the airstrip, Council is undertaking a review of the RMP during 2019.

Public feedback has now closed.

>> To see public feedback received, click here. <<

Please note this is not a formal submission process; that will take place later in 2019 when the draft RMP is publicly notified and a hearing is organised.