NZSKI has applied for resource consent to establish a 50,000 litre underground diesel storage tank at the Remarkables ski area, replacing two existing fuel tanks.
The consent application, prepared by Southern Planning Group, said two 20,000 litre tanks were nearing the end of their life and the opportunity existed to replace them as part of the redevelopment at the ski area.
The double wall Envirotank would decrease the reliance on regular fuel deliveries and allow the company to delay fuel deliveries in marginal winter conditions.
''This increases the safety and risk management of the fuel storage and delivery without compromising NZSki Ltd's operations at the Remarkables Ski Area,'' the application said.
It would reduce the refuelling points from two to one and ensure easier vehicular access to the refuelling point, in a ''staff only'' area near the existing workshop and services area.
The double wall tank would also mitigate spill risk.
''In the unlikely event that there is a breach in the primary tank, the outer tank will contain the diesel fuel and prevent a spill into the environment at normal operating conditions and test pressures.''
Removal of the existing tanks would require a resource consent to meet the national environmental standard for assessing and managing contaminants in soil. That consent would be applied for separately by the company engaged to remove the tanks.
NZSki's application said the proposal was considered to be a non-complying activity but the facility would ''meet the highest industry standards and that the risk of contamination of the natural environment will be less than minor''.
''Overall it is considered that the proposal is consistent with the purpose and principles of the [Resource Management] Act.''
