Stance stuns community house proponent

Resource consent is being sought to build a community house in the grounds of St Columba’s...
Resource consent is being sought to build a community house in the grounds of St Columba’s Anglican Church, Wanaka. Photo: Mark Price

"Gobsmacked'' was how Dame Sukhi Turner yesterday described her reaction to the decision of one of the main players in the proposed community house to oppose the project.

Dame Sukhi is chairwoman of the Wanaka Community House Charitable Trust which has applied to the Queenstown Lakes District Council for resource consent for the building next to St Columba's Anglican Church, in McDougall St, Wanaka.

Community Networks - a non-governmental organisation that provides free social services to the Upper Clutha - was at one stage expected to be the anchor tenant for the new building.

However, Graham Berry, chairman of the Alpine Community Development Trust which operates Community Networks, has filed a submission against the location of the community house and called on the community house trust to withdraw its resource consent application.

Mr Berry said the alpine trust supported the concept of a community house but wanted it nearer the centre of Wanaka, on council-owned land behind Ardmore St.

"This would result in a decrease in capital cost and ongoing operating costs, as there would be no need to design the building to accommodate a church hall.

"This outcome would also be less onerous on community funding providers. It would also avoid the conflict that may occur between the church and tenants who may be incompatible,'' Mr Berry submitted.

Dame Sukhi said the trust's stance had come "out of the blue''.

"It really came as a surprise to us that they didn't want a presence there and they felt it was too far out of town.''

Dame Sukhi said the building would be a seven-minute walk from town, across Pembroke Park.

"We were quite gobsmacked. Not only were they quibbling about where it was with us earlier, but they chose to put a submission against it.

"It really smacks of politicking.''

Devon Hotop, a member of the Alpine trust until three years ago, has made a submission "in full support'' of the new building.

Ms Hotop said the community house idea was introduced when she was chairwoman.

"And we thought, collectively as a trust, it was a fantastic idea.''

Ms Hotop said yesterday the change in the alpine trust's views had come with recent changes in the trust's membership.

"It's only through the submissions now we learn they don't want to [have a presence]. So, it's a bit upsetting, really.

"I just think it's a great shame the two groups can't get together and work for the good of the community.''

Dame Sukhi, who also previously chaired the Alpine trust, said she and Ms Hotop considered Community Networks and the community house "a perfect fit''.

Dame Sukhi said the Alpine trust's stance would not affect plans for the community house, with a range of other organisations "champing at the bit'' to be part of the project.

Mr Berry said the trust would respond to ODT questions in the next few days.

mark.price@odt.co.nz

 


Wanaka Community House

Proposed by: Wanaka Community House Charitable Trust.

First mooted: 2004.

Location: McDougall St on vacant land leased from the Anglican Diocese of Dunedin at a peppercorn rental.

Size: Building 45m long, 20m wide, 5m high, covering 684sq m.

On-site car parks: 17.

Includes: Offices and meeting rooms for community groups and government agencies, and a 140-seat hall for church overflow during weddings, funerals and other church and community events.

Zoning: Low density residential, requiring a ''non-complying activity'' resource consent.

Consent hearing: February 15 and 16.

Independent commissioners: Andrew Henderson and Jane Taylor.

Submissions in favour: 175.

Submissions against: 42.

Council planner's recommendation: Consent be granted, subject to new or additional evidence at the hearing.


 

 

Add a Comment

 

Advertisement