Academics caution Christchurch councillors on new airport plans

Otautahii - Three leading New Zealand professors have appealed to the Christchurch City Council not to support a new international airport proposal at Tarras in Central Otago.

The main issues raised included serious economic impact for Christchurch ratepayers, negative climate impacts, serious concerns about technologies and making the best decisions for Christchurch and it’s ratepayers into the future.

Distinguished Professor James Higham from the University of Otago said the technical challenges in decarbonising aviation are enormous and research and science indicates solutions are a long way off.

He said the challenge of radically reducing aviation emissions is insurmountable without demand management. There is no scope for aviation technology optimism that underpins the Tarras airport proposal, he said

Professor Ilan Noy, chair in the economics of disasters and climate change at Victoria University of Wellington, support Professor Higham.

The proposed Tarras airport will hit Christchurch ratepayers hard whether it succeeds or fails. The current post-earthquake construction boom is coming to an end, Professor Noy told councillors which could “cripple the economy of Christchurch for the foreseeable future.”

“Christchurch airport is not the Otago Economic Development Agency and I see very little reason why the ratepayers of Christchurch would want to undertake a risky development project for Otago.”

University of Canterbury Professor Bronwyn Hayward congratulated the mayor and council on various statements around climate change, strategic thinking, performance and values such as accountability.

But she said that the airport proposal could become unpopular and polarising, as ratepayers wanted climate leadership.

“They don’t want what they will increasingly perceive as a vanity project.” There is already anecdotal concerns about the lack of transparency in the sale of land, raising wider questions for the council and its values of integrity.

She urged councillors to put their money where their values are and “please rethink your decision.”

The three speakers were part of Informed Leaders, the group of 11 professors who wrote an open letter last month about significant concerns around the airport proposal. The group has since swiftly gathered support with researchers and academics, now numbering 45 in support, and growing.

They will publish a full index of independent New Zealand based and international research, to help decision makers to be informed around aviation, tourism, airports and related issues.

The index, which will comprise research which has been rigorously peer reviewed before publication, will be shared with all Christchurch city councillors as soon as it is compiled. 

Professor Higham said historically there has been low awareness of this substantial body of very clear research, so their aim is to ensure that decision makers are very aware of what it says.

“The responsibility you bear around Christchurch airport’s plans directly or indirectly is significant.