Watersports building decision keenly awaited

A DECISION on the controversial lakefront water sports facility in Wanaka could be made in the next few weeks.

The trust behind the Wanaka Watersports Facility, which if approved will be built on the lakefront in Roys Bay, hopes the Environment Court will make a decision soon.

At a fiveday Environment Court hearing in Wanaka in March, Judge John Hassan and commissioners Kathryn Edmonds and Russell Howie heard evidence from 22 witnesses.

During the hearing Judge Hassan said there was a possibility a decision could be made by the end of May.

Opponent John Coe attended every day of the hearing and said the longer a decision took the better it was for those against the facility.

‘‘I’m not too worried about the time it’s taking. The longer the better, if it means there’s no building down on the waterfront.’’

It had already been a long and drawn out saga, so waiting a few more weeks or a month would not be the worst outcome, Mr Coe said.

Wanaka Water Sports Facility Trust chairman Michael Sidey said supporters had expected a decision by now but thought one would be made in the next few weeks.

‘‘We had been told a couple of weeks ago a decision was likely, but it’s now two weeks and there’s been no decision.’’

Mr Sidey said part of him was slightly worried the decision was taking longer than expected, but he was still confident the decision would go the trust’s way.

‘‘You just have to sit back and wait for the judge to make his decision.’’

It has almost been a year since independent commissioners granted resource consent for the facility to be built in the Roys Bay recreation reserve, despite more than 700 submissions against the proposal and Queenstown Lakes District Council staff recommending it be rejected.

tim.miller@odt.co.nz