This winter, Marlborough Airport is doing anything but chilling out. Improvements in infrastructure, safety and environmental sustainability have been in full swing.

The airport’s largest maintenance project to date - a $10.7 million infrastructure investment in the runway, aviation surfaces and short-term car park - is now in its final stage. The car park is expected to open in August, with improvements to drainage, pedestrian safety and traffic flows. Airport users can expect revised parking fees for the short- and long-term car parks, in line with market rates at other regional airports.

“We appreciate the public’s patience while we work around the weather,” said Chief Executive Dean Heiford. “The drainage improvements that were completed before the June storms held up well, and contractors are doing everything they can to complete the rest of the drainage and paving works.”

More than 1,200 native plants will be added to the car park, with much of this expanded landscaping working as part of the functional drainage system. Other improvements include recycling bins, widened footpaths, outdoor seating, a grass area and electrical groundwork laid for future electric vehicle charging.

Inside the terminal, the airport is working to improve recycling and reduce waste to landfill, aiming to reduce waste by 30 percent over the next three years. So far, a 10 percent reduction has been achieved by replacing paper towels with hand dryers, as well as working with CPR Café to divert coffee grounds from landfill to airport landscaping. The airport also worked with Fulton Hogan to reuse 6,000 tonnes of asphalt millings for other infrastructure projects in Marlborough.

Finally the airport is looking at reducing greenhouse gas emissions within its own operations, starting with replacing its two-vehicle fleet with hybrid vehicles. The airport’s diesel ute and petrol SUV were due to be replaced over winter. In May, a BYD ute was purchased as the airside safety vehicle, followed by a BYD Sealion to replace the petrol vehicle.

“We’ve been planning sustainability into our asset replacements and operations for the past couple of years,” Mr Heiford said. “We still have a lot of work to do in the sustainability space, but it’s exciting to see it start to take shape.”