Environmental Services Planner, Kirsten Klitscher said that when the consultation period closed on 13 June, 1163 submissions had been received, and another 50 or so had arrived since then.

“Mr McCarthy is applying to land at one site on the Port Hills 14 times – that’s 28 landings and take-offs – a day,” says Klitscher. “Under the Resource Management Act this is a non-complying activity which means that the Council can look at all aspects of the activity, but in this case, the aspect that requires consent is the noise generated by the helicopter while it’s on the ground.”

The RMA specifies that a hearing should commence within 25 days of the submission period closing, though this can be extended up to twice as long. Submitters will be notified ten days in advance of the hearing, and those who indicated they want to be heard will receive a copy of the planner’s report one week before the hearing starts.

If submissions identify any deficiencies in the information supplied by the applicant, the Council can request further information at any time before the hearing begins. This may delay the hearing process.