Seasonal worker accommodation to be built on the site of an orchard building razed by fire earlier this year prompted questions at a hearing yesterday about water supplies for firefighting.
A nearby dam and irrigation race could be used, Le Fresh Stonefruit Ltd Earnscleugh manager Ian Nicholls told the Central Otago District Council hearings panel.
Le Fresh Stonefruit, formerly Summerfruit Orchards, had been producing fruit for more than 25 years and was one of Central Otago's largest stonefruit operations, employing about 200 seasonal staff.
It was seeking consent to build seasonal workers' accommodation for up to 50 people on its Earnscleugh orchard, on the same site where a shed burnt down in January.
Twenty-six firefighters battled the blaze, which was fanned by strong northwest winds.
A 40m by 20m shed containing irrigation supplies and orchard equipment was gutted in the fire.
The building was also used as an accommodation area for four seasonal workers.
In its application, the company said it planned to expand over the next three to five years, but the lack of seasonal labour was a major hurdle.
Providing housing would ensure the company could ''compete in a very tight labour market''.
Council planning consultant David Whitney recommended consent be granted, subject to several conditions. One of those conditions was having a 30,000-litre tank on site for domestic water and firefighting.
Asked whether he could guarantee the nearby dam would remain full year-round, Mr Nicholls said he could not guarantee that but the irrigation water race near the site would always be full.
It was believed the January fire started after the shed moved against electrical cables, in high winds, causing sparks, he said.
Firefighters had pumped water out of the dam and water race to douse the blaze.
Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme workers from Vanuatu worked on the property from October to April and were among the workers who would be accommodated in the new building.
The complex would be vacant for the remaining six months of the year, Mr Nicholls said.
The panel has reserved its decision.
• A building site suggested for an Earnscleugh home in a cold and damp hollow was ''ridiculous'' and would affect the applicant family's health, the panel was told.
Lindis and Ellwin Cowie sought consent to build next to an area designated as a significant amenity landscape.
The panel's decision was reserved. Peter Dymock represented the Cowies and said although the house would breach the skyline, it was ''minor'' in the context of the site.
The suggestion of relocating the building site to a hollow, to lessen the visual impact, was not a viable or fair option for the applicants as it was a cold, wet and shady location.
Mrs Cowie told the panel the recommended site was ''ridiculous'', would be unhealthy for her family and would aggravate her child's asthma.
The sun was the most cost-effective heating source and the site chosen by the applicants was to take advantage of solar energy.
