The proposed $20 million motorsport park near Cromwell was a good concept but in the wrong location, an Environment Court appeal hearing in Queenstown was told yesterday.
Robert Galvin, spokesman for a group of 16 Cromwell residents who have appealed the original resource consent decision, said the park would be 300m closer to his Panners Cove Lane home than the Central Speedway and the type of racing cars would be louder.
While he was tolerant of the noise generated by racing at the speedway, another 48 races a year at the park, which were likely to be louder, was "pushing tolerance too far".
The park was a good concept but in the wrong location and the submitted worst-case scenario for noise did not take into account the town's climate, which would spread the adverse effects wider, he said.
On cross-examination, Mr Galvin said the additional drivers and spectators attending park races would be positive for Cromwell.
However, a race held every second weekend during the summer "won't suit even the most ardent fans" in town.
He said he did not have confidence in the Cromwell Motorsport Trust or Central Otago District Council objectively monitoring the noise from proposed race meetings.
Judge Laurie Newhook, of Auckland, and commissioners Charles Manning and Sheila Watson heard the closing submissions of counsels representing the appellants and the Cromwell Motorsport Trust Ltd.
The Central Otago District Council was represented by Graeme Todd.
The appellants' solicitor, Gillian Clarke, said it was not clear if the proposed park on 92ha of land, about 3km from Cromwell, was a temporary or discretionary activity under the district plan.
Burial services at the nearby cemetery could not take place on race days and it was not acceptable for racing to determine when people could tend graves in peace, Ms Clarke said.
Quality of life and amenity values would diminish, there were no details about the earthworks, billboards or overbridge construction involved, and there was little evidence to support the economic benefits to Cromwell, she said.
Judge Newhook asked trust co-director Allan Dippie, of Wanaka, if a limit on the number of races by cars with higher noise outputs would mitigate noise effects.
Mr Dippie said the cars likely to race at the proposed track were all restricted under tight Motorsport New Zealand rules.
A consent condition that lowered the level for Cromwell would mean there could not be any national race meetings there and other meetings would find it difficult..
"Some of the vintage and classic cars are not purpose-built but everyone builds to a certificate of description.
"It would be like having a huge exception to the national rule and wouldn't work."
Phil Page, who appeared for the trust, said compliance with a cumulative noise contour condition was inappropriate as some events, such as weather, were out of the organisation's control.
The most affected residents were part of the McKay Family Trust and their location adjacent to State Highway 6 made monitoring complex.
Race event operators were required, regardless of the court's ruling, to meet the Motorsport New Zealand noise limit of 95 decibels at 30m from the vehicle.
If it was exceeded, the council always had the ability to review the consent.
The proposal's commercial recreation activities extended to a single national four-day meeting a year and another 11 race meetings of up to a maximum duration of four days which would be regional club events.
Judge Newhook reserved his decision.
