The first application for consents to mine in the lower Nevis Valley since it was registered by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust as a "nationally significant" heritage area will be heard today.
Golden Bush Mining Ltd has applied to the Central Otago District Council and Otago Regional Council for consents to set up an alluvial gold-mining operation.
The hearing is a joint one and planning advisers of both councils have recommended approval be given, subject to conditions.
The company has applied to the district council for land-use consent to mine within an area classified as an outstanding landscape zone.
It sought permits from the regional council to take groundwater to operate a gold recovery plant; to temporarily divert the flow of Nevis River tributaries; to disturb the bed of those tributaries; to construct a bore; and to discharge sediment into water.
Nine submissions have been received on the district council consent, with six opposing, two in support and one neutral.
The NZHPT, Central Otago Environmental Society, Central Otago-Lakes branch of the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society, Director-general of Conservation Al Morrison, Pioneer Generation and Kati Huirapa Runanga ki Puketereaki have all asked for the application to be declined.
Two individual submitters, Andrew Rutherford, of Queenstown, and John Douglas, of Alexandra, support the application, Mr Douglas conditionally.
Land Information New Zealand has taken a neutral stance but pointed out the subject site was within Ben Nevis station, which was subject to a pastoral lease.
Pioneer Generation leases the land and Linz and Pioneer had not authorised the company to have access to the property.
The regional council applications have attracted five submissions, three opposing and two neutral.
Central Otago district councillors John Lane, Terry Emmitt and Tony Lepper, together with Otago regional councillor Sam Neill, will decide the matter.
Golden Bush planned to mine three pieces of land within a 785ha site on Schoolhouse Flat.
The gold recovery plant would be mounted on a pontoon and float in a mine pond of about 1000sq m.
No more than 1haof land would be disturbed at any time, with progressive restoration of the land.
The company has sought a seven-year term for the project and it would provide employment for three people, six days a week, Golden Bush director Mark Skinner said in the application.
The NZHPT recently placed the area on its national register as a "nationally significant" site.
The area contained the most intact sequence of gold mining history in Otago, and its values could be "permanently impacted" by the proposed mining activity, NZHPT Otago Southland area manager Owen Graham said.
Other objectors have cited issues such as the impact on the landscape and on rare and threatened plants, fish and insects.
In support of the application, Mr Rutherford said mining could make an important contribution to the economy of the area.
"The fact is that mining in New Zealand is among the most environmentally sensitive in the world, and since the products of mining are used by everyone, then it makes sense to approve any reasonable application to mine in New Zealand, especially in back country areas," he said.
