The Wanaka Rowing Club has abandoned its controversial plans to build its clubrooms on lakeside public reserve at Stoney Creek in the face of legal challenges from objectors to the proposal.
The club has told the Wanaka Community Board it is withdrawing its proposal to construct a building at Stoney Creek and has instead asked for approval of a site at Morrows Mead, or failing that, Waterfall Creek or Eely Point.
In a letter to the board, club president Dave Varney said "numerous attempts" to negotiate with, and satisfy the concerns of the neighbours and objectors to the Stoney Creek site had failed.
"We have decided that the costs and time involved in fighting the 'litigation' that has been suggested will develop does not bode well with us," Mr Varney said in the letter.
He told the Otago Daily Times yesterday fighting a protracted legal battle, which could have reached the Environment Court, was beyond the club's resources.
"It was just going to be years and years fighting it, with no guarantee of an outcome in our favour."
He said the club was "very disappointed", as Stoney Creek was "the perfect site". However, the club remained focused on finding a suitable alternative, despite the setback.
"Our boats are deteriorating; we're prohibited from growing; we need a clubrooms. So we've got to think of developing the club more than the site itself."
Last year, the Wanaka Community Board recommended the club's application for a lease over land at Stoney Creek be granted, after several alternative sites previously considered by the club were deemed unsuitable.
Earlier, 122 submissions on the issue were made to the Queenstown Lakes District Council, 79 in support and 43 opposed. A group of neighbours formed the Stoney Creek Action Group to protect the reserve from development.
The intention to allow the club to lease the Stoney Creek site was publicly notified last month and the consultation period is to run until February 10.
A report to be considered by the community board next Tuesday favours the Eely Point site because it is removed from residences and already has buildings on it. The report recommends approval be given for public notification of the Queenstown Lakes District Council's intention to lease the Eely Point site to the club.
The Eely Point site previously received the most support from the public, but conflicts between motorised craft and rowing skiffs were identified there, which meant the focus shifted to sites on the western side of the lake. The club had looked again at the Eely Point site and decided, while conflicts existed, they could be managed, the report said.
Queenstown Lakes deputy mayor and Wanaka Community Board chairman Lyal Cocks said the club's revised proposal was a "pragmatic way forward".
"It might not be the ideal solution for them, but I think it's [Eely Point] a workable option that we should give serious thought to," Mr Cocks said.
