The issue of stormwater management from the Northlake subdivision has come under fire again, this time from its closest neighbours.
Exclusive Developments Ltd, which is developing the Hikuwai subdivision, presented its submission at the hearing of plan change 53 last week, and raised ``significant concerns'' about Northlake's stormwater management.
Exclusive Developments is directed by Wanaka developer Lee Brown.
His sister, Lisa Brown, presented the submissions on behalf of solicitor Michael Nidd, who was unable to attend the hearing.
She submitted that Exclusive Developments' land had been flooded on five separate occasions during moderate rainfall events and was concerned about the negative press Exclusive Developments had received, ``all due to Northlake Investments Ltd's inability to retain, treat and dispose of its stormwater appropriately''.
The last flooding incident occurred on May 22 and was reported to the Otago Daily Times by Wanaka resident Don McKinlay, as the run-off flowed through both subdivisions, the nearby Hikuwai Reserve, and into the Clutha River.
Run-off into the Clutha River was accepted as part of the stormwater management plan for the Northlake Special Zone, however, one of the policies stated the run-off would have ``minimum adverse environmental effects''.
Ms Brown submitted Northlake was in breach of that policy and also raised that Northlake's basis for plan change 45 granted two years ago, which enabled it to start development, was the promise that post-development stormwater flows would be no greater than pre-development flows.
She said it was a ``fallacy'' as it was not what was happening at present, nor what would likely be the case if plan change 53 was accepted.
However, Northlake counsel Warrick Goldsmith said in his closing submissions the hearing panel should disregard the submissions from Exclusive Developments as there was no specialist evidence to back up the claims.
``Factually, to an extensive degree [the submissions] are incomplete, incorrect or just plain wrong.''
Ms Brown explained it would be difficult to call on specialist evidence as resource consent for stormwater management in the Hikuwai subdivision was being sought at present.
But her message was clear.
``Exclusive Developments has little confidence in the way in which Northlake will be able to manage its stormwater going forward.''
A decision on plan change 53 is likely to be made in early July.
