As part of deliberations on its Long Term Plan, Waikato District Council has decided to continue the ratepayer subsidy of Raglan aerodrome. Earlier this year investigations by the Raglan Community Board revealed that the District Council spent $23,000 a year spent maintaining the aerodrome but only received about $8,000 a year in income from the aerodrome resulting in an annual operating loss of about $15,000 that has to be subsidised by ratepayers. The Raglan Community Board passed a resolution advising the Council to increase the casual landing charge from to $5.10 per day to $10 per landing in line with charges for similar airfields around New Zealand. Instead the District Council increased the charge from $5.10 to $5.50 per day.
It is time for the management of the aerodrome to be delegated to the Raglan Community Board so Raglan aerodrome can be properly managed.
Chair of the Raglan Community Board, Rodger Gallagher said that once again the Community Board was being frustrated by the Council. He added, “It is time for the management of the aerodrome to be delegated to the Raglan Community Board so Raglan aerodrome can be properly managed. There is no justification for ratepayers to continue subsidising this facility”.
That $15,000+ loss is almost as much as the $20,000 WDC said it couldn’t afford for Sunday buses. I think Sunday buses brought more business to Raglan, as well as providing a local service and a lot less noise.
“t is time for the management of the aerodrome to be delegated to the Raglan Community Board so Raglan aerodrome can be properly managed.” I agree whole heartedly.
How sure are we of the $8,000 airfield income? RCB was told landing fees were $610 in January. $5,000 is a more likely estimate as January is probably the peak month for income. If so, the subsidy is only $2,000 short of the saving made by cutting Sunday and Public Holiday buses! Also do we know why the RCB May agenda misleadingly said, “The suggested [$10] increase has been included in the LTP” when it hadn’t?
The RCB’s suggested fee increase was discussed during the LTP hearings, but Councillors were concerned that the LTP consulation was based on an increase to $5.50 plus administration fee for late payment. The suggested increase to $10 or other figure, will be considered and consulted on for the 2013/2014 Annual Plan in April 2013.
I don’t think we should forget the benefits to Raglan businesses and employment that visitors that fly into Raglan bring.
Thanks for the explanation Richard. I don’t understand the concern though. Were councillors saying there was no notice of the increase? How does that differ from the 48% increase in bus fares? How much benefit does Raglan get from pilots? How does that compare with those who travelled on the Sunday and Public Holiday buses, many of whom would have stayed overnight?