Rescue boat building approved
WANAKA
A MARINE search and rescue building has been approved for Wanaka.
Coastguard Wanaka Lakes Incorporated’s application to build at the southeastern end of the Eely Point recreation reserve, next to Lakeside Rd, was the subject of a Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) hearing before commissioner Robert Nixon in September.
Mr Nixon has granted the application subject to conditions.
The organisation proposes a building for its 9m RIB Protector rescue vessel, trailer and tow vehicle, as well as an operations room, training space and possibly space for the harbourmaster.
Seventyfive submissions were heard in support of the building location, and two nearby residents were opposed.
A QLDC report recommended consent be declined on the basis of landscape and visual amenity effects, but recommended amendments to allow consent to be granted.
Coastguard Wanaka Lakes president Jonathan Walmisley told the hearing the unit was established in 2007 and its rescue craft was stored at the A&P showgrounds.
It could take more than an hour at busy times to get the rescue craft on the lake.
The building’s location offered the shortest deployment time, increasing the chance of survival for people needing rescue.
Mr Nixon said there was ‘‘universal acceptance’’ the facility would have a major positive effect.
He acknowledged the visual impacts would be ‘‘potentially more than minor’’ but only while planting became established.
The conditions set by Mr Nixon include completion of environmental management and traffic management plans.