Due to procedural errors, the Central Lakes Equestrian Club have pocketed $3000 in rent that was supposed to be paid to the Central Otago District Council (CODC), but the council says it will write it off.
A report by CODC property officer Tara Bates discussed at a council meeting this week said in 2000, council approved a proposal to adjust the boundaries of the Cromwell Racecourse and the Cromwell Aerodrome Reserve along State Highway 6 between Ripponvale Rd and Ord Rd to allow for aerodrome development.
Council records said that in 1988, a hangar was built on a part of that area.
The boundary adjustment was not completed until 2012.
After the adjustment, the hangar lease should have been issued by the council and all rent from that date paid to the council, but this did not occur.
Council staff discovered the equestrian club continued to collect the annual rent of $500 from the hangar, which since 2012 amounted to $3000.
The report recommended it ask the equestrian club to pay the rent back to the council.
But the committee decided against that, instead deciding to write it off.
Speaking after the meeting, committee chairman Nigel McKinlay said it was a community organisation that deserved the funds.
Equestrian Club treasurer Gordon Stewart said it was "a sensible decision".
