The Kakanui Camping Ground saga is going back to a further hearing on whether it can be granted a resource consent to operate, although this time the hearing's scope is restricted.
Waitaki District Council-appointed commissioner Robert Nixon heard a land-use consent application in February from Equipment and Support Ltd to operate the camping ground on the south side of the Kakanui River and expected to issue a decision within 15 working days.
However, while considering the evidence presented by both camp operator Allan Jones and objectors to the development, Mr Nixon in late February expressed "significant concerns with the adequacy of information" on noise and traffic presented at the hearing.
He suggested a traffic report should be prepared so he could make a decision on access to the site, asked for more information on noise effects and a landscape plan showing the location of the 30 camp sites.
Mr Nixon has now sent out a notice to all parties involved that the hearing would reconvene on June 19.
It would be restricted to issues in the traffic report, which had been sent out to parties, and some discussion about the noise effects on a neighbouring residential property.
Mr Nixon had earlier indicated that, while he had not made a final decision, he was satisfied the site was acceptable for a camping ground with up to 30 sites.
However, that would be subject to appropriate conditions to protect the amenity of the neighbourhood and the safety and efficiency of the adjoining road network.
The resource consent issues have been dragging on through the council and Environment Court since early 2000 and one of the major issues has been access to the site.
The present access is from Waianakarua Rd, which is preferred by the camping ground company and a neighbour.
The council proposes access from River Rd, with the road and intersections upgraded.
