The Parkins Bay golf-course resort presents a chance to add to the amenities at Glendhu Bay but falls short when providing for walking and mountain-biking access, the Upper Clutha Tracks Trust told the Environment Court this week.
The trust is one of three appellants seeking to overturn a resource consent obtained by Glendhu Station owners Bob and Pam McRae and their family for an 18-hole championship course, 42 residences, a visitor accommodation complex and other facilities.
The trust considers the proposed tracks now on offer cannot be deemed to be environmental compensation for such a substantial development, but has indicated if public access conditions were strengthened to a satisfactory level, it could withdraw from the appeal.
Trustee Helen Tait this week told Judge Jackson and commissioners Di Menzies and Charles Manning trustees had been "very disappointed in the minimal provision made as part of the proposed development".
Mrs Tait pointed out the Queenstown Lakes district commissioner, Jane Taylor, had held the same view when the proposal first came before the council in 2008.
Mrs Taylor held a minority, dissenting opinion.
The consent was granted by commissioners Neville Marquet and David Clarke.
Parkins Bay Preserve Ltd has offered:
• A track around the lakeshore from Glendhu Bay to Parkins Bay. This access is already legally available by way of marginal strip but is made difficult because of fences extending into the water and boggy ground. Mrs Tait says the only offer appears to be the removal of the fences.
• A walking and mountain-biking track around the proposed golf-course resort development, following a boundary between the development and the rest of the farm.
• A walking-only track linking to the above track, crossing the main road to the western end of Parkins Bay.
• Public access to the golf-course clubhouse and car park. Mrs Tait says given extensive public access to the lake and picnicking areas already exists in Glendhu Bay, it seems unlikely the public would find this access of any great significance.
• A walking-only poled route from the farm's high point to a QEII covenanted area on Rocky Hill, from January to April only, and able to be closed at the landholder's discretion during that time.
Mrs Tait said these offers did not qualify as a "network of tracks" referred to in the applicant's evidence.
"We do not believe that it can in any way be considered a satisfactory level of environmental compensation for a development of this scale."
She said additional opportunities could include:
• Improvements to the limited access to the top of Rocky Hill, including removing the time limitation but providing for stock movement and a six-week lambing period.
• Providing a route via a tarn at the northern end of Rocky Hill down to marginal strips on the true right of either the Motatapu or Matukituki rivers.
• Walking and cycling access along the true right of the Motatapu River from the gorge to the chasm.
• Walking access following the Motatapu River and Matukituki River to West Wanaka Rd, linking up with existing access at West Wanaka bridge.
• Walking track along the marginal strip of the Fern Burn, downstream from the junction with Wanaka-Mt Aspiring Rd to the lake edge, connecting to the existing Fern Burn Track and Te Araroa Trail.
• Cycle access over a farm track starting near Wanaka-Mt Aspiring Rd and the Motatapu River, climbing to a point of 782m above the development before descending to Motatapu Rd.
Mrs Tait acknowledged two of the tracks might require reviews of easement provisions.
The trust was willing to do the easement review work if funding was provided by way of environmental compensation.
Mrs Tait said most of the tracks were at the edge of the property and would have a very limited effect on the farm.
• The witnesses have not been appearing in sequence.
Judge Jackson has accommodated people who have been forced by ill health or flight schedules to appear on certain days.
Yesterday, the court went to Glendhu Station for a site visit.
The court is expected to resume its sitting at Edgewater Resort at 2pm on Monday, when lawyer Russell Ibbotson (for appellant Dennis Thorn) will present his opening submissions and call expert landscape evidence.
Advocate Tony Borick opened his case on Wednesday for appellant the Upper Clutha Environmental Society.
Mr Borick called evidence from society president Julian Haworth on resource management and planning issues.
This Tuesday, QLDC community services general manager Paul Wilson is expected to give evidence about the provision of recreational opportunities and assets in the area.
The hearing is scheduled to finish next Friday.
