Debate over planned hotel disrupting ‘harmony’

THE word ‘‘harmony’’ was yesterday introduced to the debate over a proposed 113room hotel in Wanaka’s Northlake special zone.

Independent commissioners Ian Munro and Jane Sinclair were hearing a resource consent application by Northlake Investments Ltd.

Wellington lawyer James GardnerHopkins made submissions on behalf of the Wanaka Community Supporting Our Northlake Neighbours Society, which is opposed to the hotel.

He argued the Queenstown Lakes District Council required activities in the zone to be developed in an integrated manner.

For the meaning of ‘‘integration’’, Mr GardnerHopkins cited High Court Judge Chisholm likening ‘‘integrated management’’ to ‘‘whether there would be harmony’’.

‘‘So, if there is not harmony between the proposed hotel use, and the existing residential uses, then integrated management . . . is not being achieved,’’ Mr GardnerHopkins said.

Asked by Mr Munro for his definition of ‘‘harmony’’, Mr GardnerHopkins suggested in the Northlake context a small hotel, with not a lot of buses.

He reminded the commissioners to ‘‘keep one eye’’ on part two of the Resource Management Act — which promotes ‘‘sustainable management’’ — and not ‘‘relegate it to some sort of crosscheck.

‘‘It is relevant as part of your consideration.’’

Mr Munro said noone had asked them not to consider part two, and they would be analysing it and keeping an open mind.

Northlake lawyer Warwick Goldsmith told the hearing Mr GardnerHopkins’ legal submissions were ‘‘completely unsupported by evidence’’.

He pointed out that in contrast to traffic created by other uses of the land, the hotel would have people arriving and leaving on four coaches in brief periods each day.

‘‘The hotel is dead as a doornail the rest of the time.’’

The owners of about 300 Northlake properties were prohibited from making submissions on the hotel proposal because of a covenant in their sale and purchase agreements but about half a dozen were present.

The hearing was adjourned until next Friday to allow Mr Goldsmith time to prepare written closing remarks.