Waves of discontent among Gibbston neighbours

A GIBBSTON couple have accused their winery neighbours of intimidating waving.

The couple, who moved in next door to Mount Edward winery in 2012, say the waving is a form of harassment and causing them stress.

The dispute between Ana Bajurin and Earl Matheson and the winery played out at a district licensing committee hearing in Queenstown yesterday.

The couple objected to Wanaka Road Winery Ltd’s application for a renewal of Mount Edward winery’s offlicence, primarily because of loud music played at the site. They had complained about the ‘‘loud, thumping music’’ coming from the winery numerous times.

Mount Edward general manager Duncan Forsyth told the committee music was primarily played during the annual sixweek harvest, around April and May, and after the complaints the winery had apologised and made efforts to lower the noise levels from machinery, though after visiting the couple’s home, it had not considered the noise level to be unbearable.

Staff had been ‘‘instructed to be nothing but nice and wave at the Mathesons’’, Mr Forsyth said.

Ms Bajurin said they felt that was ‘‘a form of harassment’’ which began after they lodged their opposition.

‘‘We don’t initiate a wave. [We believe staff are] doing it on purpose to cause us stress over the situation and giving us the impression we are not able to look around our property.

‘‘We request that you address your staff . . . We don’t want people waving at us . . . when we’re looking around our property.’’

She alleged that Mr Forsyth was also harassing them by ‘‘tooting and waving at us every time he went past our property and left his property’’.

‘‘Staff are now . . . waving in a ridiculous fashion while [we’re] trying to go about our daily business.’’

Mr Forsyth said it was the first time in almost 20 years there had been an objection to the company’s licences and described the couple’s opposition as ‘‘vexatious and vindictive’’.

Ms Bajurin said she and her partner worked from home and it was ‘‘important not to be interrupted by music’’. They also had to delay plans to establish a bed and breakfast because of concerns over the noise.

She had requested that music not be loud enough to be heard from the boundary of the property at any time; that dogs be under control at all times; that there be no association or direct contact between the parties without a third party involved; and for an ‘‘immediate cease in waving behaviour’’.

Judge Bill Unwin said the licence the couple objected to was held by a company — described by the council as suitable — not Mr Forsyth.

‘‘The correct process [for your issues] is under the Resource Management Act . . . It’s got absolutely nothing to do with us.’’

The committee reserved its decision.

in Queenstown