Christmas comes with a price
The future of a popular Christmas event hangs in the balance following a costly resource consent review.
Earlier this year, Auckland Council advised Karaka Lakes resident Shelley Burke that it was reviewing two resource consents attached to the neighbourhood’s annual Christmas light and sound event.
The consents are held under Burke’s name.
In a letter, the council said information given to it ’’contained inaccuracies that materially influenced council’s decision to grant consent and the effects of the exercise of the consent are such that it is necessary to apply more appropriate conditions’’.
It is reviewing five conditions of the free public event held near Cornwall Place, including the duration of activity, hours of operation, traffic management and noise.
Residents have run the nighttime event since 2010.
It attracts up to 10,000 people over three weeks and has traditionally involved decorated houses, sleigh rides for children and a musical light show.
Crowds grew after it was featured on a live television news show in 2013.
Two years later locals rallied to fund a $8000 resource consent and $5500 traffic management plan bill.
A radio host found out about the event’s plight and through a sponsor donated more than $4000 towards the traffic management plan.
According to the recent council letter, it said the review also comes at a cost.
The letter sets out costs including a $2000 deposit to process the resource consent review and a $10,000 deposit if limited notification is required.
It says a notified process with a hearing will cost between $20,000 and $30,000.
On the council’s website the review is noted as a limited notice application and residents who live near the venue have until October 30 to make a submission.
A map shows properties on Turua Rise, Wawatai Drive, Cornwall Place, Fountain Avenue, Trecarne Street, Thornton Green and sections of Hinau Road and Anchorage Drive fall within the notification zone.
In the past some residents have complained about noise, children walking on the road, people urinating on properties, illegal parking, damage to grass berms and street vendors.