The Queenstown Lakes District Council will today consider submissions received on the proposed intention to grant a new lease to the coastguard for a new rescue centre at Eely Point.
At present, the coastguard launches its rescue boats from the Wanaka Showgrounds, but in the height of summer, deployment times could be over an hour due to heavy traffic.
The location at Eely Point requested by the coastguard would allow for a 220sqm single-storey building near the main entrance to Eely Point and in sight of nearby residential properties.
Twenty-nine submissions were received on the lease application, 11 in support and 18 in opposition.
Many submitters against the proposal were concerned about the location of the building and its visual effects.
While they supported the need for a new rescue centre, they felt a better location would be next to the Wanaka Yacht Club and the existing boat ramp at the marina.
''In this area any facility would be less intrusive and make good use of the land available,'' one submitter said.
But a council report said the coastguard had considered a number of locations, including the marina, and had identified Eely Point as the best location.
If the lease is granted, the coastguard would still need to go through a resource consent process.
