A plea for the Central Otago District Council to encourage and foster commercial ventures appears to have been heeded by the council's hearings panel.
Clutha River Cruises has been granted resource consent to expand its cruise and charter business on the Clutha River and Lake Roxburgh.
The company, owned by Steve Toyer, of Alexandra, wanted to operate up to three boats. Three submissions were received by the hearings panel, all in support of the application.
Alexandra businessman Alan McLellan told the hearing earlier this month that times were tough for businesses in Alexandra and the council should be doing all it could to encourage commercial ventures.
In its decision, released this week, the panel granted consent, subject to 17 conditions.
One condition was that no taped music could be played or alcohol served on the boats within 800m upstream and 800m downstream of the Alexandra bridge. Other conditions related to the mooring point and landing points of the venture, the hours of operation, and how rubbish and wastewater should be removed.
The panel said the proposal would have "significant positive effects". It would allow more visitors and locals to visit points of interest at Lake Roxburgh, creating economic benefits for the community.
Boat transport was of particular benefit to the disabled and those with limited time to visit the area, the panel said.
• Consent was also given for mini-golf and a new cafe at Coal Creek, near Roxburgh.
Richard and Kerry Groters, who operate the Packhouse Fruit Stall on State Highway 8, applied for consent to operate a cafe and mini-golf course from 9am to 7pm for six months of the year. The business would cater for up to 50 customers.
The consent was subject to conditions on car parking, access to the site, landscaping and upgrading the water supply.
