Plan for small hall provokes big debate

Plans for a community hall in a West Coast tourist hot spot have prompted heated debate, including accusations of defamation against opponents.

The Department of Conservation (DOC) heard submissions at a public meeting yesterday about a Buller District Council request to build a community hall on public conservation land at Dolomite Point in Punakaiki.

The community has no hall currently and a permanent population of about 150 people.

The hearing heard from people concerned about the size of the proposed hall, the threat of competition to surrounding businesses, the destruction of native bush, and damage to the area’s unique karst landscape.

Most were in favour of building the hall, saying there was a need for a purpose-built facility for community meetings, classes and a civil defence base.

Punakaiki resident Tony Sole claimed some of those opposed to the plan had defamed a community group set up to liaise with the council about the project.

Several submitters referred to the group as having no mandate from the wider community.

Sole said the council made its own decision to ask DOC for land.

Punakaiki Tavern owner Ian Ryder said in his submission he believed the seven-strong group had worked ‘‘in secret’’.

‘‘I firmly believe there are people . . . [who] want a facility . . . so it can be used solely for commercial purposes,’’ he opined. Fox River mobile cafe owner Andrew Beaumont said there was no plan for a commercial operation.

Representatives from the Coast Rd community and heritage trust and the committee that runs the Barrytown Hall voiced concerns about the size of the proposed site.

Project manager Glenn Irving told the hearing the building would be about 150 square metres, but the total cleared area could be up to 500sqm.