Kapiti Coast Airport is centrally located in Paraparaumu in close proximity to residential areas.
The airport company recognizes the need to be considerate of the impacts its operations impose on the community and seeks to balance the impacts with the overwhelming benefits that an airport can bring to the growth and connectivity of the region.
One of the larger impacts is that of noise which is rigorously controlled by the provisions of the District Plan. Amongst the District Plan rules governing the airport's activities are rules in respect to noise levels and curfew hours. The District Plan requires the airport to prepare a Noise Management Plan with provision for a Community Liaison Group to work with the airport to address community concerns regarding airport noise.
Community Liaison Group
The purpose of the Community Liaison Group (CLG) is to consider and where appropriate make recommendations to the Airport Manager on aircraft noise issues and concerns that arise from the operation and activities at Kapiti Coast Airport. The CLG meets periodically each year and considers the Airport Manager's report on noise management, noise complaints and the Airport's response to noise complaints.
The CLG is comprised of representatives from the Paraparaumu community, airport users, airport owner and management, and local iwi.
Members of the current CLG required by the Airport's Noise Management Plan are:
| Independent Chair: | Hilary Wooding | |
| Airport Manager: | Simon Lockie | |
| Community Representatives: | Jonny Best (Paraparaumu-Raumati Community Board) |
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| Don Day | ||
| David Blair | ||
| Airport User Representatives: | Peter Merwood (Kapiti Districts Aero Club) |
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| Grant Jolley (Air Chathams) |
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| Te Ati Awa ki Whakarongotai Inc: | Jack Rikihana | |
| Kapiti Coast Airport Holdings Ltd: | Chris Simpson | |
| In addition KCDC has two non-voting attendees in an Advisory Role: |
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| Secretary: | Judy Rennie |
Further information on the CLG can be found on the Kapiti Coast District Council website.
Airport Noise Management Plan
The current noise restrictions on aircraft operations at Kapiti Coast Airport are outlined in Part N of the Kapiti Coast District Plan, and are also reflected in the Kapiti Coast Airport Noise Management Plan. Both of these documents are available to the public.
The requirements in the Airport's Noise Management Plan are set out to minimise the effect of flying activities on the community living within the Airport’s vicinity, whilst not unduly restricting the use of the Airport. The Airport curfews are prescribed in this document also.
Noise Monitoring
Part 4 of the Noise Management Plan provides for the Airport to undertake independent noise monitoring every 36 months until such time as there are three consecutive calendar years when total aircraft movements at the airport exceed 70,000 in each year. At that time monitoring shall be undertaken annually.
Kapiti Coast Airport periodically commissions independent acoustics engineers Marshall Day to undertake noise monitoring as required by the District Plan for a period of 4-6 weeks. Results of the monitoring are available on the Kapiti Coast Airport and KCDC websites.
The limit for noise at or outside the Air Noise Boundary is not to exceed an Ldn of 65dBA as measured by New Zealand Standard 6801:1991. This noise decibel level does not apply to individual flights but to ‘daily noise levels’. In simple terms the noise from each individual flight is added into a ‘bucket’ of noise which is averaged out over the day.
Since 2009, each independent noise monitoring report has found that the Airport noise levels are well within the limits allowed by the District Plan.
Airport Night Curfew
Aircraft are entitled to operate at Kapiti Coast Airport provided it is not during the Airport’s curfew.
During the summer season, or when the weather provides more favourable flying conditions, it is normal to expect increased flying activity at the Airport. In particular this includes aircraft operators undertaking flight training (repetitive circuits) at night.
NIGHT CURFEW
Fixed-wing Aircraft:
| SEP to APR: | 10:30pm – 6:00am |
| MAY to AUG: | 10:00pm – 6:00am (no circuit training between 9:30pm – 6:00am) |
Helicopters:
| ALL YEAR: | 10:00pm – 7:00am |
| MAY to AUG: | No circuit training between 9:30pm – 7:00am |
All Aircraft:
| ALL YEAR: | No circuit training on Sundays and public holidays before 9:00am and after 6:00pm |
Aircraft excempt from the Night Curfew include:
| a) | disrupted flights where operations may be permitted for an additional 30 minutes; |
| b) | those landing at the airport as an alternative to a scheduled landing at another airport due to safety or weather related issues; |
| c) | those using the airport in an emergency, including emergency aircraft operations to rescue persons from life-threatening situations, or to transport patients, human vital organs or medical personnel in a medical emergency (i.e. LifeFlight helicopter, Air Ambulance); |
| d) | those undertaking fire fighting duties; |
| e) | unscheduled flights in a national or civil defence emergency, or reasons of national security; |
| f) | such other flights as the Director of Civil Aviation may approve in a special circumstance. |
Complaints
Part 5 of the Noise Management Plan contains the procedure to be followed for complaints.
In Addition, the Kapiti Coast Airport Noise Complaint Call Line was set up in conjunction with the local council to address aircraft noise related issues and concerns that arise from the operation and activities at Kapiti Coast Airport. This 24 hour 7 day phone service for noise related complaints has been operating since November 2007.
All reported complaints are investigated and responded to accordingly in writing. For this reason, a complainant’s full name and full address are required, in addition to as much detail of the observation as possible to assist in the investigation of the complaint.
Kapiti Coast Airport Noise Complaint Call Line
021 922 787
Alternatively, a noise complaint form can be downloaded and emailed to manager@kapiticoastairport.co.nz or faxed to (04) 298 1005.
Low Flying and Flights Outside the Vicinity of the Airport
The Airport Company has no responsibility or involvement with aircraft operations other than aircraft landing or taking off from the Airport itself. The aircraft operator has sole responsibility once their aircraft has departed the Airport circuit.
Aircraft are entitled to fly over any person’s house so long as they comply with the correct altitude limits. The height and position of an aircraft as it approaches or departs the Airport is not the responsibility of the Kapiti Coast Airport, but that of the aircraft operator, and is regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
If an aircraft’s height or location is believed to be of concern, this matter needs to be directed to the CAA. Complainants need to contact the CAA by phone or email if they have an Aviation Related Concern.
Click here for Community Liaison Group Annual Reports and Meeting Minutes.
