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Seasons Greetings

Our offices are closed for the statutory holidays and re-open 5 January 2010.

February action

Manfeild has an action packed calendar coming up.[click here for details]

More land for runway

The exchange squares off the airport boundary to provide a more effective safety strip off the end of the runway at the eastern end near Railway Road. The safety area is effectively increased by approximately a further 130 metres.

Although the runway already has safety areas that exceed the minimum requirements at that end, this will provide additional safety margins. It could also help in future if options are needed to cope with aircraft that need longer runway than currently planned.

Airport chief executive officer Garry Goodman said that Valor Ideal have been supportive as immediate neighbours of the airport and this exchange represented just another step in their efforts to ensure that the local economy is supported by good airport infrastructure.

The land being exchanged will remain in current use for twelve months while changes are made to the golf course which is on the Valor Ideal property.

Airport Drive green light

The project was initially part of a package of works relating to the closure of Milson Line for runway extension.

Construction was put on hold by the airport company when acceptable mitigation for closing Milson became uncertain during the Environment Court hearings of objections. In the final event, the Court has determined that mitigation will be in the form of a deviation road around airport any works to extend the runway or form safety areas.

Airport chief executive officer Garry Goodman said that in the intervening period the airport company has been able to separately justify completion of the project and is pleased to be announcing work is about to re-start on Airport Drive.

Tourism confidence continues to improve

The outlook is similar across all regions of New Zealand with demand expected to increase between 0% and 5% relative to the same period last year.

Lack of demand is cited by most businesses (75%) as the main factor limiting business performance, with competition and discounting the next most common factor (affecting 38% of tourism businesses).

The survey is conducted by independent researchers for the Ministry of Tourism and includes a 'business confidence index' that has moved from a low of 39 in April this year to 129 in the latest survey. (An index of 100 represents equal numbers of optimists to pessimists)

Meanwhile visitor arrivals from New Zealands largest market, Australia are up 9.7% for the year to October 2009. With the exception of Germany and India all other key tourism markets are down for the year to October.

October 2009 reflects an improving situation with Australia up 22.2% for the month and China up 16.5% on last October.

SH 1 upgrade Wellington to Levin welcomed

The plans for a $2.2 billion upgrade over the next ten years were given the green light earlier this week.

This will help the connection between Wellington and Palmerston North with spin-off for communities well beyond the areas of the improvements.

Making the most of the Manawatu's central location is dependent on excellent transport links in all directions, and all modes of transport (road, air and rail). The route via the Kapiti Coast is one of the vital links.

Milson Line to make way for runway

Airport chief executive Garry Goodman says this decision has resolved the last regulatory barrier for the airport to be able to meet the requirements for future international flights.

The deviation road can be built on existing airport land which is already designated for airport activity. The Mangaone Stream will be realigned as part of the project, initially providing space for a 2,200m runway with safety areas, but also allowing for runway extension to 2,500m at a later stage.

The Environment Court decision also confirms the stopping of Richardsons Line at the Milson Line end. Access to Richardsons Line will be from the Railway Road end.

Mr Goodman says the airport is pleased with the decision. "It provides certainty for the airport, and recognises that the timing of the work will be determined by our progress in attracting international services".

In the interim the current roads will stay as they are.

Mr Goodman says the roading authorities are able to now work on the city's preferred long term strategic road route possibly based on both SH 54 and Railway Road so that it is in place by the time the runway needs to be extended beyond 2,200m.

Links to further stories:
Feilding Herald 17 December 2009
Manawatu Standard 16 December 2009
Manawatu Standard 15 December 2009

Region positive

Visitor nights in commercial accommodation increased by 4.2% and visitor nights in private accommodation increased by 3.4%.

The tourism results are included in data that shows the Manawatu regional economy has increased 1.4% in the year ended September 2009.

Peter Crawford, economic policy advisor with the Palmerston North City Council, says recovery of economic activity in the region started earlier than other regions and the rate of growth is now well ahead of most national economic indicators.

Instant Biosecurity Fine Raised to $400