Submitters opposing an application for a 72-bed accommodation complex at Perriam Cove are saying "I told you so".
Pisa Cove Ltd had applied for land use consent to turn 24 travellers' accommodation apartments at the $42 million Perriam Cove residential marina 6.5km north of Cromwell into a 72-bed complex.
When developer Dave Robertson received consent to change the apartments into travellers' accommodation in July 2007, there was strong opposition from residents of Pisa Moorings and nearby residential developments.
Submitters opposing that application were worried the residential marina would turn into a hotel/motel complex.
Russell Ibbotson, of Russell Preston Law in Queenstown, had assured objectors at the July hearing the units would be let from an office - most likely in Queenstown - and there would be no advertising on site, or any signs to indicate there was travellers' accommodation on site.
Mr Robertson said at that time he already operated 21 apartments in Queenstown in the same way.
The new plan was to "three-key" the apartments, which would mean each of the three bedrooms would be let individually, and operate the travellers accommodation complex in association with an adjacent restaurant/bar conference facility, which was consented earlier this year, and would be looked after by an on-site manager.
Seven submitters oppose the latest proposal, with Pisa Moorings resident Ken McGraw telling the Central Otago District Council (CODC) hearings panel in Alexandra this week his worst fears have been realised.
"What began as a residential activity has now developed into a full blown hotel/motel," he said.
Almost all of the original application to build the marina village [Perriam Cove] was non-complying but it had got the council excited, and it did have some good features, he said.
"But now it has been watered down and they are offering 72 rooms for hire."
Anne Lyon, also from Pisa Moorings, said having 24 managed apartments was bad enough, but the numbers would treble with the three-key proposal.
"Last year, I stood before you and said this would happen. Slowly but surely, consent after consent, the applicant has finally put all his cards on the table," she said.
Both Mrs Lyon and Mr McGraw said the apartments would have brought families to the area for holidays, whereas single rooms provided accommodation for people who had no "companion" relationship to each other.
They were also extremely concerned about the traffic that would be generated, including the number of boats that could be brought to the marina, Traffic Design Group consultants had tabled a report which concluded the development would have only a negligible effect on the adjacent roading network.
Speaking on behalf of Mr Robertson, Mr Ibbotson told the hearing the built development already had consent, and there was nothing in a physical sense that would change.
