Last week, Kiwi Water Park posted a video to a social media feed of staff chopping down a wooden swing on a beach beside Lake Dunstan at Lowburn because a "meanie" had reported the unconsented structure to the council.
Council regulatory services manager Lee Webster said the operator of the park had been approached in recent weeks after the council received a complaint regarding "a number of structures and rubbish that were left on site following the wrap-up of the water park’s season".
This included the swing as well as a pergola that marked the entrance for users of the floating playground over the summer months and some old pallets.
Mr Webster said the operator was told the two structures required a building consent to ensure they were safe, in addition to a variation to an existing resource consent to have them remain in place longer term.
"We also advised that if such consents weren’t obtained, then the structures would need to be removed."
Water park co-owner Emily Rutherford said she had left the swing up because of its appeal to members of the public.
"Lots of non-customers liked it and took pictures at it, like cyclists, so I thought I’d just leave it there as a cute wee thing for the community and tourists to sit on and get pictures.
"I was asked to cut it down by the council, so I followed their request and cut it down.
"[I] only did a post about it as I knew otherwise a bunch of folks would message me asking where the swing had gone."
As to whether she would erect a swing next season, she was undecided: "I won’t bother to do so if it’s too difficult with consenting."
