The comments came as Cobb & Co Dunedin directors Ange Copson, Chris Roy and Christine Strathan were among those to defend the project at a public hearing yesterday.
The group already had a lease from the Dunedin City Council, plus building and resource consent, but the deck's occupation of public land also required approval under the Local Government Act.
It would cover 150sq m of grass at the station's northern end, behind a group of five cherry trees.
The proposal attracted 61 submissions, three-quarters opposed, but 34 were deemed ``out of scope'' because they focused on issues including the deck's design and its impact on heritage values.
Only 27 submissions were deemed to be on topic, of which 16 were opposed.
Independent commissioner Gary Rae began yesterday's hearing by saying he would hear any comments submitters wished to make, but could only make a decision on the occupation of public land.
Despite that, the handful of submitters who spoke at yesterday's hearing were in favour of allowing the deck.
They included business development consultant Kevin Fleury, who said that the
deck would be a crucial difference ``between viability and not'' for the restaurant.
The group's investment would deliver 40 new jobs to Dunedin and increase vibrancy in the area, and the directors should be supported in their ``courageous adventure'', he said.
``If it were to fail on the lack of the necessary permits today, it would be very, very sad for the city.''
Critics had focused on the visual impact on the railway station, but the deck would be at the ``utility end'' away from the ``grandiosity'' of the building's main views, he said.
It would also improve an area already boasting Toitu Otago Settlers Museum, the former Dunedin prison and Dunedin Courthouse.
Marilyn Edge, another supporter, said the station had become a tourism hub that was ``essentially dead to locals''.
The restaurant, and its deck, would encourage locals to the area, while also giving the building a modern use that respected its integrity, she said.
Charmaine Mundy said the development would give families an alternative to the ``absolutely hideous'' Octagon dining experience, and allow people to ``soak up'' the railway station's atmosphere.
While none of those against the development appeared in person, two opponents, Philippa Jack and son Hugh (10), voiced their concerns in a video message played to the hearing.
Mrs Jack said the deck would reduce the public space available in the city, disrupt the building's aesthetic appeal and offer benefits only to Cobb & Co customers.
Her son said the area should stay ``just the way it is''.
Another opponent, Stephen Parker, who could not attend, sent a photograph showing people using the green space to underscore his concerns about its loss.
Mr Roy told the hearing the grass area was ``very much underutilised'', and the restaurant and deck would make the area ``far more inviting''.
Mrs Copson, speaking after the hearing, said the deck's design had also been tweaked, including moving the gas fireplace to the deck's north end. The deck would also not cover as much grass as an earlier artists' impression suggested.
Mr Rae said a decision was expected within days.
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Comments
No objection to people trying to get a business up and running, but will there need to be Council approval of, and police agreement with, a liquor licence?
Where is the trade off for Dunedin? What land are these fast food restaurant owners donating to Dunedin to make up for their land grab?
Alternatively, what bond are they stumping up that will pay for the removal of the deck at the end of the lease?
And if public space land having low use is any sort of criteria, then developers are going to have a field day with places like the botanic gardens and the oval. There are parts of these that hardly ever have someone sitting on them!