Fruitpickers could also have the the pick of the views around Clyde if a consent for a cherry packhouse and workers’ accommodation on the hillside above Lake Dunstan is granted.
Sunfruit Syndicate Limited Partnership has applied to the Central Otago District Council to build a pack house and workers’ accommodation on top of Clyde Hill off State Highway 8 opposite the Clyde Dam.
The company wants to accommodate workers near the pack house in a combination of two-person chalets for up to 60 recognised seasonal employer (RSE) scheme workers, and a 20-site camping ground for short-term backpacker workers in non-self-contained vans and tents.
The application was publicly notified this week, as it breaches yard and domestic water supply standards, rules around skylines visible from a public place, and its proposal to subdivide 48ha into three titles does not comply with the district plan.
Sunfruit shareholder Tim Paulin said work was under way to mitigate those factors.
The packhouse would be visible from the west Clyde Dam boat ramp and other points around Lake Dunstan, but planting evergreen trees would obscure it, he said.
He believed the proposed development would be an asset to the region.
The packhouse is to service new cherry orchards Sunfruit has established on the hill between SH8 and Waikerikeri Valley Rd on land irrigated from the Dairy Creek irrigation scheme.
All toilet and bathroom facilities would be in the pack house.
The area encompassing the packhouse, RSE worker accommodation, camping ground and associated wastewater disposal would be subdivided off the main title and separated from the already established cherry orchard.
Access to the site would be off State Highway 8.
Submissions on the proposal are open until October 30.
