17. Transportation Volume One carried out at the airfield include aircraft engineering (Safe Air Ltd), a NZ Post mail and distribution centre for the upper South Island and some limited commercial activities within the civilian passenger terminal. The airforce base (RNZAF Base Woodbourne) makes an important contribution to the NZDF effort through providing ground training facilities for RNZAF personnel and depot level maintenance for military (and civilian) aircraft (provided through a contract with Safe Air Ltd). Although not strictly a transportation issue, the continued operation of the RNZAF Base Woodbourne is important because of its integration with the operation of Blenheim Airport. Collectively, RNZAF Base Woodbourne, Blenheim Airport and other licence holders are the single largest employer in Marlborough, maintaining around 1,000 permanent employees. These operations make an important contribution to sustaining local housing markets and businesses as well as community, social and personal services. The Crown is required to comply with the provisions of the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA), although there are a number of exceptions to this requirement, which are set out in Section 4 of the RMA. One of these exceptions is where the Minister of Defence certifies the work or activity is necessary for reasons of national security. However, in relation to RNZAF Base Woodbourne, NZDF activities are provided for by a 'Defence Purposes' designation in the Marlborough Environment Plan (MEP). The designation allows the NZDF to carry out activities in support of the purposes of Section 5 of the Defence Act 1990. The NZDF manages the environmental effects of its activities in accordance with the RMA and in compliance with the MEP. Omaka is a public airfield situated approximately 500 metres from the south western boundary of Blenheim. The home of the first aero club in the country, the airfield is used extensively for gliding, general aviation (including private pilot training) and as a base for agricultural aviation within Marlborough. The airfield is open seven days a week, with more commercial flying activities occurring during the week and recreational flying during the weekend. Significant seasonal and weekend/public holiday aviation activities also occur, usually in relation to specific events. These events include the biannual Easter Airshow, summer recreation flying events (gliding, etc) and night time helicopter operations for vineyard frost protection. One other significant feature of Omaka has been its development as an aviation heritage centre. The airfield is the venue for the biennial Omaka Airshow and attracts strong visitor interest with displays of vintage and antique aircraft. The Aviation Heritage Centre itself is located east of the airfield. Picton Airport is privately owned and located within the Koromiko Valley, approximately 20 kilometres from Blenheim. A scheduled air service operates daily to and from Wellington. In addition, the airport provides access to properties in the Marlborough Sounds and is used for scenic flights and general aviation, including tandem parachuting. A helicopter service also operates from Picton Airport, while a float plane servicing the Marlborough Sounds operates from Picton Harbour. Collectively, these airports contribute directly and indirectly to the local, regional and national economy. It is important therefore to ensure their long-term viability as strategic physical resources. [RPS] Objective 17.1 – The use of Marlborough’s airports/airfield continues to contribute to the social and economic wellbeing of Marlborough. Marlborough’s airports and airfield are a significant physical resource and contribute to the social and economic wellbeing of the people and community of Marlborough. Blenheim Airport has been specifically recognised in Chapter 4 - Use of Natural and Physical Resources as regionally significant infrastructure because of its contribution to the social and economic wellbeing of a large proportion of Marlborough’s population as well as its strategic importance nationally. (RNZAF Base Woodbourne has also been identified as regionally significant infrastructure.) Omaka Airfield and Picton Airport have also been identified as being regionally significant infrastructure as they are regionally important for general aviation, agricultural aviation, aviation 17 – 2