A move by a Dunedin city councillor to use political pressure to stop a planned 1000-patron gig at the Long Beach caves has been stymied by Resource Management Act rules.
Cr Michael Guest yesterday morning emailed other councillors calling for the matter to be discussed under urgency at a community development committee meeting to be held in the afternoon.
"The decision on this issue should not be left solely in the hands of the planners.
"The political arm of this council ought to be heard and say `no' to this event."
That issue was not discussed, and yesterday evening he said he had been advised council officers delegated to make such decisions were the only ones allowed to do so, and political interference was not allowed.
"I don't agree with that," he said.
Certain matters required political input, and that was one of them.
The issue arose after organiser David Booth sent a letter to Long Beach residents explaining the event would be held on March 19.
Mr Booth has applied for resource consent, but no decision has yet been made.
Some residents have objected and a meeting is planned at the Long Beach hall this evening.
Cr Guest said in his email councillors "need our heads read if we give permission for this function".
"One thousand young people descending on the cave at Long Beach for a `cave rave' is inviting damage and possible disaster.
"For it to be suggested that the effects will be `no more than minor' is to turn a blind eye to experience and the reality of what is likely to happen."
Mr Booth has said the event would be a relaxed event with dub/roots music.
Cr Guest said "1000 people coming by bus and car and traipsing through the sand dunes for a lengthy period of drinking and dancing can only lead to damage".
"Surely, no sensible decision can be made allowing this to be imposed in the region of an amenity-proud settlement like Long Beach."
The city needed to learn from its experiences with "young people, alcohol and bad behaviour".
He said last night he had not had any response from councillors to his email.
