Community has its say on proposed meeting hall

THE Department of Conservation heard bitter objections and heartfelt support for a Punakaiki community centre at a public hearing yesterday in Westport.

Twentyseven of the 86 people who made submissions on the controversial project are speaking to their submissions before a hearings panel of two: DOC partnerships manager Barry Hanson and statutory manager Jo Gould.

The Buller District Council has applied to DOC to use stewardship land at Dolomite Point, near the Pancake Rocks, to build a public hall for the Punakaiki township.

Although the great majority of submitters (6321) endorsed the plan there were forthright objections from some bach owners and business people.

Punakaiki publican Ian Ryder told the hearing that the small group of people who had been working with the council had not consulted the businesses in Punakaiki.

‘‘They say they used their initiative — I call it arrogance,’’ Mr Ryder said.

‘‘There are 11 businesses here who have $30 million of assets, pay taxes and wages and employ 80 people. This group thought we were unworthy of being informed. They should have called a public meeting.’’

Mr Ryder said the group had dismissed better and cheaper locations in the village, citing the threat of rising seas.

‘‘That is a slap in the face for ratepayers who are spending $1.2 million on a rock wall because they think they have something worth saving. This group will turn down every site except the top of the hill. What is the real reason? I answer: business.’’

Mr Ryder said if Doc approved the council’s application it should set a condition that no business be carried out in the centre that would adversely affect businesses between Fox River and Barrytown.

Submitter Fiona McDonald made a plea for a place that would improve the quality of life for families, and attract younger people to live in the area.

‘‘We have an ageing population. When my son was born, he was the first child born in my neighbourhood for years. We need more young families, and young families need a place to meet and hold events that are not suitable for holding in commercial venues.

‘‘We need a marae — a heart — and a place we can be proud of,’’ she said.

Ross Smith, of Fox River, told the panel that in his 50 years on the Coast he had been to many meetings in places that were cold and uncomfortable, and said that ‘‘in those circumstances the quality of conversation and decision making goes downhill fast’’.

‘‘I am pretty relaxed about the location [of the centre] but I think it is the best of a limited bunch,’’ Mr Smith said.

The hearing continued yesterday afternoon. — RNZ