Judge Jon Jackson, with commissioners Diane Menzies and Charles Manning, reserved their decision at the hearing - the latest stage of a planning law process which has dragged on for about five years because of opposition from landscape-protection activists.
Glendhu Station landowners Bob and Pam McRae and Queenstown-based golf course designer and developer John Darby, who form Parkins Bay Preserve Ltd (PBPL), gained consent in 2008 to build a $75 million golf resort and 42 residential homes on land overlooking Parkins Bay - a secluded part of Lake Wanaka directly west of Glendhu Bay.
An appeal against the decision was subsequently made to the Environment Court by the Upper Clutha Tracks Trust, the Upper Clutha Environmental Society (UCES) and Wanaka holiday home owner Dennis Thorn.
The Environment Court released an interim decision in December 2010 directing PBPL to submit more evidence of mitigation and environmental compensation at the development's proposed site and to address some of the appellants' concerns.
Mr Darby and Mr and Mrs McRae's son John, who manages the station, were both called to give evidence yesterday.
Ms Menzies queried whether Glendhu Station's plans for mob stocking - confining a large amount of sheep or cattle to an area for intensive grazing - on land directly next to the proposed development would generate complaints from people living in the proposed residences or golfers playing at the resort.
Mr Darby said those grazing areas were "physically and visually separate" from the subject site and the distance from houses and the golf course was sufficient that there would be no adverse effects.
Mr Manning asked Mr McRae if paddock use would change if a different, possibly more conventional management regime was implemented at the station in the future, as opposed to the current organically-certified status of the land base.
Mr McRae said the existing practices were "addressing the environment in the best way we possibly can" and he intended to continue with that same approach.
There was considerable discussion held around the passage of stock, water supply and fence placement for the protection of wetlands, as well as a proposed revegetation strategy at the subject site.
Counsel for the UCES, Tony Borick, objected to Mr Darby referring to the society as a minority group, citing the recent consent refusal for the Damper Bay development, in which the UCES had "acted on behalf of 100 objectors".
"They're [UCES] not a minority group and they do in fact assist the community," Mr Borick said.
A site visit to Glendhu Station for the parties involved was to take place this morning in order to clarify several points. Judge Jackson said a decision would then be issued in writing as soon as possible.
