Supporters of both sides have filled the room for the first two days of the hearing.
Yesterday, the court heard evidence from the Queenstown Lakes District Council and the Wanaka Watersports Facility Trust.
Queenstown-based landscape architect Ben Espie gave evidence for the council yesterday, supporting the consent.
In his evidence Mr Espie came to the conclusion the effects of the watersports facility on the landscape and natural character of the area was appropriate for its location in Roys Bay.
Views from both public and private locations would also not be adversely affected, Mr Espie found.
During cross examination by Upper Clutha Environmental Society secretary Julian Howarth, Mr Espie was asked if he agreed other people who were not landscape architects could have a different view about the effect the facility would have on the natural character of the area.
Mr Espie said other people could come to their decisions about how the character of the area would be affected, but his role as a landscape architect was to use his knowledge and skills to determine what level of impact development might have on a particular area.
Other points brought up during the hearing included where the margin of Lake Wanaka finished and how different interpretations of where the margin was led to differences of opinion on what impact the facility would have on the Roys Bay Reserve and an area of outstanding natural landscape.
Earlier in the day landscape architect Anne Steven and planner Duncan White gave evidence for the trust.
The court will hear evidence from witnesses for the appellants, Save Wanaka Lakefront Reserves Inc, today and tomorrow.
The hearing is expected to last until Friday.
