The Waitakere City Council is pressing on with plans to rezone Whenuapai Airbase as a commercial airport despite the idea being vetoed by the National government.

The council has set dates for verbal hearings on what is known as Plan Change 22. They are February 9 to 11 and 16 to 17.

In December it said it expected to notify all submitters before the New Year.

The hearings will be presided over by three independent commissioners.

Many submissions came from concerned North Shore residents who were overwhelmingly against a commercial airport.

The National government has taken a strong stance saying the airbase will remain solely as a military facility for the foreseeable future.

Whenuapai Airport Action Group president Russell Stewart says: "Plan Change 22 has become largely irrelevant and the council’s pursuit of the plan change demonstrates a reckless disregard for ratepayers’ money."

The council has already spent more than $200,000 of ratepayers’ money on its pursuit of Whenuapai, he says.

That would rise to around $500,000 if the matter goes to the Environment Court, he says.

"It beggars belief that the Waitakere City Council would wish to expose its constituents this way," he says.

"It is hopeful that new Local Government Minister Rodney Hide will have such actions within his sights."

WAAG, the Defence Force, Auckland International Airport Ltd, Board of Airline Representatives NZ, Auckland Regional Health Board and many other major organisations will fight the plan change as vigorously as possible, Mr Stewart says.

"The plan change can not be allowed to be enacted because it would leave a sword of Damocles hanging over Shore residents forever.

"It is not befitting a new decade that is focused on reducing harmful emissions and promoting environmental consciousness."