Central Southland's emergency helipad has cleared another hurdle after a Winton site was approved by the Oreti Community Board on Monday night (1 Jul).

Otago Southland's Rescue helicopter may soon have a pad to land on in Winton. File photo: Southland App

The central site, on the corner of Springford and Railway Streets, is located opposite the town's supermarket.

The Central Southland Emergency Helipad committee, made up of members of both Winton Lions and Rotary members, have been spearheading the community project since the beginning of the year (2024).

Committee member John (Chub) McHugh said the location had always been their preferred site.

"Now we are in the throes of filling in the lease agreement for it."

McHugh said the project would require a building consent, which may or may not lead to a resource consent also being required.

McHugh said the project cost had probably crept out to $100,000.

However he said local community funding had been good, with contributions heading towards 50% of the projected project cost.

Cycling trio (L-R) Inge de Kruijf-Doornekamp, and Janet and Wim Overgaauw out on a practice ride. Photo: Supplied

Local fundraising was kick-started in February when Inge de Kruijf-Doornekamp, and Janet and Wim Overgaauw raised around $14,000 by cycling the length of New Zealand.

"Now that we have the go ahead for the site, we can apply to the wider community funders," McHugh said.

McHugh said they would not be starting the project until they had the funds, but hoped the paperwork would be completed in time for construction to start sometime this summer.

Committee member and Winton Lions secretary Juon Schuen said in February that the project was necessary because Medivac helicopters currently landed in a rugby field, which was often muddy, risked stuff being sucked up into the machine and required the fire brigade to turn out each time the ground was used.

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