---

The Wellington City Council has proposed to contribute half of the estimated $2 million cost of putting the proposal through the RMA approvals process for a runway extension at Wellington International Airport in New Zealand.

---

The runway extension at Wellington International Airport was initially included within the airport’s 2030 Master Plan. As per the plan, the length of the extension required to enable long-haul flights to land in and depart from Wellington with full loads is about 300 metres and would involve reclamation into Evans Bay.

A report for Councillors states that the runway extension has to be moved from being a conceptual part of the Master Plan to the actual implementation phase. This process would involve engineering and aviation design, coastal processes, landscaping, traffic design, noise and recreation impacts, archaeology and cultural effects, alternatives, and consultation.

The Wellington City Council is considering a contribution of up to $1 million toward the consenting process necessary at a full Council meeting on 29 May. If approved, the Council contribution would be funded from under-spending in the 2012/13 financial year.

The project is expected to bring about more than $43 million benefits to the region indirectly with more than 300 post-construction jobs.