Gravel extraction $1m bond sought

Otago Regional Council (ORC) resource consent applications to build a training line in the Shotover River delta and extract gravel are "outrageously excessive", according to an opposing party.

ORC's bids attracted six opposing submissions, one in support, two in support with conditions and two neutral, by the closing date of December 17.

The council also sought consent to erect a temporary bridge over the Kawarau River to aid construction.

Longshot Ltd director George Wilson submitted his property on Old School Rd was probably the most directly affected by the proposed works.

He said he had no problem with the end result of Queenstown Airport's proposed runway end safety area (resa) or the proposed Project Shotover water discharge, but he had "huge problems" with the planned methods of accomplishing the works.

Gravel extracted from the river was the airport's preferred method to build the resa embankment.

Mr Wilson sought a bond of$1 million to be posted for five years after construction of the resa and paid to his company as compensation for the severe erosion and dust effects he submitted could well occur.

"If ORC and [Queenstown Lakes District Council] their consultants do not have sufficient confidence in their claims . . . the only conclusion to draw is that they know their claims are spurious and lack integrity".

Ladies Mile Partnership opposed the river training line and gravel extraction applications.

Representative Chris Ferguson submitted the volume, timing and area of the proposed extraction may deplete the resource and render the partnership's existing extraction consent unsustainable.

Mr Ferguson submitted the partners were concerned about the adverse impacts on amenity values and that the application did not include sufficient protection.

Frankton Rd resident Dawn Palmer conditionally opposed the proposed gravel extraction and extraction to lower the river profile.

She submitted the assessment of effects did not detail the habitat requirements of threatened bird species or how the upstream habitats would absorb displaced species.

Fish and Game New Zealand wished to be heard in support of the application and said the work was needed to help flood protection and build the resa.

"While some detail is lacking regarding the methodology and timing of the works, we feel that with more consultation, possible effects on the instream aquatic environment and recreational values will be able to be minimised," environmental officer John Hollows submitted.

A status report would be filed with the commissioner of Crown lands and ORC would have to formalise its use of the land with Land Information New Zealand (Linz) before it could give consent.

Department of Conservation Wakatipu area manager Greg Lind submitted neither support nor opposition and had no submission to make, so long as works activity did not occur during bird breeding seasons.

Conditions should be put in place if technical evidence indicated the return flow would be eliminated, the north and east areas of the training structure would not braid naturally, or nesting birds might be adversely affected.

Linz submitted it was neutral but noted it was not consulted about the proposed training line or gravel extraction before resource consent was lodged, as it had requested.

ORC would need to apply to Linz for the use of Crown land administered by the entity for the proposed Bailey bridge.