Twizel fears loss of green space

a position on whether the loss of the course’s Professional Disc Golf Association accreditation would be offset by more tourist accommodation.

“The council has proposed a plan change that seeks to broadly give effect to the Spatial Plans that were developed and finalised last year. Following the closure of submissions and then further submission there is an opportunity to view all submissions and make any recommendations to the hearing panel.

“Council is aware that in any such process there will be support for and against a proposal,” the spokesperson said.

The Twizel’s Residents and Ratepayers Association also had concerns about aspects of the medium residential zoning proposed by the council, such as the raised height limit for buildings to 10 to 11 metres high.

‘‘It just seems overkill for the Twizel township. It’s cold in the winter here and a lot of the surrounding buildings would lose sun and views of the mountains and ranges. We’re questioning whether a medium density zone is even required,’’ Weekes said.

He recognised it could be challenging managing development considering the growth expected for the town, and the loss of some green space was ‘‘inevitable’’, but it needed to be done in a ‘‘genuinely consultative manner’’.

Meanwhile, the potential loss of a popular recreational and competitive facility as a result of the changes is raising the ire of disc golf aficionados.

The strip of no-build zone between Dobson Pl and Ruataniwha Rd to be rezoned for accommodation under the plan would derail the Twizel disc golf course, said Disc Golf Twizel president Eddie Stead.

He said the course would lose three holes when part of the land it is on is converted to Commercial Visitor Accommodation zone under the proposed change.

The organisation had not had contact from the council regarding the proposed changes or the potential impact, he said.

The course forms part of New Zealand Disc Golf Association tour competition, which Stead believed will be lost if the proposed land is lost.

Disc golf courses ‘‘are recognised worldwide as a good utilisation of land that would otherwise not be used for recreational purpose,’’ Stead said.

The events bring visitors – and revenue – to the town.

‘‘The last two disc golf tour competitions we had in Twizel both broke the record for number of competitors at a disc golf competition in New Zealand.

‘‘Most competitors come ... from out of town, and they bring at least one support person. Many of them bring the whole family with them for the three-day competition. I would take a stab and say that if we have 100 competitors, there would be at least 200 people come to town for two or

three days, at least two nights’ accommodation, three evening meals and all the benefits that brings to the table.’’

He said moving the course to an alternative site would be difficult given the level of infrastructure that would need to be shifted.

While there were no firm figures available on how many people use the course, given its location, accessibility and lack of cost, the numbers were bound to be high, especially during the holiday period.

Disc Golf Twizel committee member Paul Hannagan said he was disturbed at the proposed loss of green space, especially given ‘‘Twizel was built on the idea of the green spaces,’’ which residents are very proud of.

Previous councils had ‘‘bought land and demolished houses to have a boulevard style greenway entry into town.’’