A Cement plant in the Waiareka Valley would ruin what a landscape architect described as "a heritage landscape . . . potentially of national importance".
Queenstown landscape architect Ralf Kruger said substantial portions of the valley had been deliberately designed, constructed and planted during early settlement to create the impression of an arcadian English landscape.
"A New Zealand valley has been transformed into the epitome of an English rural landscape," he said.
That was not just around the original, large homesteads in the valley, but the entire landscape between them.
Mr Kruger was giving evidence on behalf of the Waiareka Valley Preservation Society, which opposes the Holcim (New Zealand) Ltd plan for a cement plant at the entrance to the Waiareka Valley.
His assertion the valley was a "heritage landscape" had been disputed by two other landscape witnesses who appeared for Holcim and the Otago Regional and Waitaki District Councils.
Mr Kruger said a heritage landscape incorporated elements ranging from Maori spiritual and cultural values to the arcadian design landscape and more recent developments.
Mr Kruger said the design of the valley's landscape used all elements of all kinds and dimensions.
It used the natural landscape - elements such as the Whitston escarpment to the Kakanui Mountains and the Waiareka Creek - to create streams and lakes and incorporated elements associated with the English countryside, such as the Enfield village and churches, and plants, including a wide variety of trees, hedges and hedge rows, in post-medieval English fashion.
"Heritage is a dynamic process. Today is history tomorrow."
However, a cement plant of the size proposed by Holcim would create significant adverse visual, amenity and landscape effects.
Mr Kruger said the Whitston limestone escarpment, which he judged an outstanding natural feature, would bear significant adverse effects with the cement plant site situated next to it.
The escarpment was used as a point of reference for the design of the valley and provided a vista for the original homesteads.
In Mr Kruger's opinion, the effects on the valley and escarpment justified considering "significant compensation" for individuals and the community.
This could include screening properties from the cement plant's operations, funding research and paying for restorative work on rare limestone plant communities on Holcim's land, ecological restoration of the Whitston escarpment and restoration of wetlands and other ecosystems.
Funds should initially be limited to the most severely affected parties, he said.
> Cement plant
Holcim (New Zealand) Ltd
• A $400 million cement plant 2.5km from Weston, coal mine, limestone and sand quarries in the Waiareka Valley.
• An additional $100 million on storage, transport, shipping facilities and new ships.
• The Otago Regional and Waitaki District Councils granted 46 resource consents for the project in February, 2008.
• Consents appealed to the Environment Court by Holcim, the Waiareka Valley Preservation Society and Andrew Renalson, with interested parties Waitaha Taiwhenua O Waitaki Trust Board and Te Runanganui O Waitaha Me Mata Waka Inc and respondents the Otago Regional and Waitaki District Councils.
• Being heard by Judge Gordon Whiting, commissioner Charles Manning and deputy commissioner Dr Bruce Gollop.
• Hearing ran from March 9 to 11, resuming March 30.
