Whakatāne District Council has sought clarification of the Beacon’s coverage of airport landing fees changes in its November 1 edition. 

In the article, Air Chathams chief operating officer Duane Emeny said he had been advised there would be an increase in the airport costs but that there needed to be more consultation.

“In fact, I’m fairly sure that it is a legal requirement for there to be consultation on an increase in airport charges and there definitely hasn’t been in this case,” he said in the story. 

Council would like to clarify that an email was sent to members of the Airport Users Group on September 5, including five Air Chathams email addresses (including Duane Emeny) notifying them that the council had reviewed its fees and charges, that there may be an impact to them or their organisation and that feedback on these changes is invited through the consultation process. 

The full consultation process on draft proposed fees and charges took place from 1 September to 2 October 2023 in accordance with the Special Consultative Procedure under the Local Government Act 2002 (LGA 2002). This included media articles, community newsletters, print advertising, website, social media, radio advertising and static displays as well as targeted emails to key user groups.