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Post by Dave Homewood on May 19, 2005 0:12:06 GMT 12
I saw in the news today that some councillors in Auckland are now desperately trying to put a deal together to get the V8 Supercars to race at RNZAF Whenuapai, as it is exempt from all the resource consent red tape that strangled the Wellington proposal.
That could be great, if it becomes established as a top track, it will have more public opinion on side when down the track the politicians try to sell off the base for housing.
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Post by Ivan on May 19, 2005 15:39:04 GMT 12
If they are unable to use the airfield as a joint military/civil operation because of security concerns I don't see how they could open the place up to 100,000 petrol heads for the weekend. Let's face it they would probably need to close the airfield for at least a week to set it all up and take it all apart after the races.
I think the main problem that will need to be addressed is the noise level. I live quite a few miles from Whenuapai in a straight line (across the water and behind the hill), but in the past the noise from the car racing at "Wings and Wheels" days has been quite loud even at that distance. The noise level from aircraft taking off or landing is really nothing compared with a bunch of V8s racing around for hours on end.
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 19, 2005 18:04:57 GMT 12
As far as noise goes, they will be exempt from all the usual council regulations as the council has no say to what the RNZAF does. I mean, they're allowed to let bombs off on RNZAF bases, and fly helicopters and jets around in circles for hours on end, so why not race cars? There is nothing stopping them. Personally I don't give a monkeys about V8's, there's far more to life than Ford vs Holden. But I'd love it if someone can sock the Resource Consent beaureaucrats in the eye and side-step their red tape.
And as for security? Nonsense. I am certain that security is NOT the true reason for no joint civil/military operations - as we all know Whenuapai used to be Auckland International as well as an RNZAF Base.
Civil airlines also use RNZAF Woodbourne every day, so why not Whenuapai??
RNZAF Wigram was a race track and had car and bike races almost every weekend during the racing season, with hundreds of members of the public swanning about. It never caused any security hassles.
Whenuapai could easily become a regional airport and it makes so much sense for both the military and civil operators. To be secure, simply build the terminal on the opposite side from the base, over by the gold course, and people can drive in from a totally different road. Hell, there's a military terminal at Rongotai that works well like this, why not reverse it at Whenuapai. The civvies will keep the base open and be paying the RNZAF rental or landing fees, etc. It's such a good idea. The north of Auckland needs it so badlky, and several airlines desperately want it. It makes so much sense that the Government is against it, so it must be right.
No, there's definately another reason behind these things and I'm certain security is not their true concern.
I'll wager it is more to do with backhanders - Clark and her mob will have things sewn up ready to sell the land to the highest bidder for millions through some middle-man company that they have stakes in. They probably have plans for thousands of houses or a huge celebrity gold course or something ridiculous.
They've already sold off part of Hobsonville!! The foreign buyer posed as a boat maker who will bring the country millions. He hasn't. It was a con. Now he is able to sell the land for housing and I'm told that is exactly what he intends to do. It's despicable. Probably back-handers in there I'd say.
Whenuapai is without doubt the most strategic military base in this country and the most important. It MUST be retained. I fear it won't be. If motor racing helps keep it there, I'm all for it.
I see your point about the base grinding to a halt for up to a week. Maybe, but surely the aircraft could operate for a few days out of Mangere or Ohakea whilst it's on, they've only got Hercs, Orions and Boeings there now that need the strip. If Auckland and Wellington considered disrupting their entire CBD's, this will be nothing by comparison in terms of money, which is all they think about these days.
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 19, 2005 19:21:31 GMT 12
Since we got onto the topic... Well, that's that idea buggered then www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3284892a13,00.html The second airport idea at Whenuapi was officially scuppered today. It seems the defence force chiefs don't want Whenuapai to survive. Idiots |
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IVAN
Flight Sergeant
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Post by IVAN on May 21, 2005 16:40:48 GMT 12
I agree with everything that you have said Dave. It all boils down to one word - POLITICS !!!!
What do you expect when the Head of the Defence Force like the Police Commissioner is basically aGovernment puppet, and the Government is the major shareholder in Air New Zealand?
Still 10 years is a long time in politics and I'm sure we'll see a myriad of changes before anything happens.
RIP Hobsonville. I've seen the plans for the state housing areas over the rest of the land. Sickening.
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IVAN
Flight Sergeant
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Post by IVAN on May 21, 2005 16:45:08 GMT 12
Then there was this on the Herald site the day after the "Stuff" report. So what do you believe?
Whenuapai plan unchanged
20.05.05
Government policy on any commercial use of Whenuapai Air Base had not changed, Defence Minister Mark Burton said yesterday. He was refuting claims that the Government had changed its mind and was ruling out any commercial activity. Agencies, staff reporters
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Post by hairy on May 27, 2005 14:18:15 GMT 12
Phillip Burton announced today that Whenuapai will be made availiable for upto 10 days a year for the V8s ;D, YAY..................sorry Ivan  . |
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