Queenstown Lakes District Council commissioners have reserved their decision on a gravel extraction resource consent application in the Cardrona River.
Wanaka Landfill Ltd sought consent to extract gravel from the riverbed. The hearing was in Wanaka this week, before commissioners David Whitney and Gillian McLeod and has been adjourned, pending their decision.
Lakes Environment planner Jenny Carter recommended the commissioners reject the application because of potential adverse and cumulative effects on the natural character and environment of the Cardrona River.
The consent application stated a maximum of 20,000cu m of gravel would be taken to a processing yard, for processing and distribution around the district as required by the construction industry.
There were 78 public submissions, with 15 in opposition, 54 in support and nine remaining neutral but seeking conditions.
Wanaka Landfill Ltd is associated with Wanaka businessman Robert Duncan, who has spent several years negotiating Cardrona River gravel extraction and processing consents with the Queenstown Lakes District Council and the Otago Regional Council.
Mr Duncan gave a brief overview of his operation.
His lawyer, Jan Caunter, explained the "very complicated" consent history and presented a summary of her submissions before calling evidence from planner John Edmond and surveyor Robin Patterson.
The application enshrined the conditions contained in an Environment Court consent order negotiated with neighbours in 2009, and was also in line with conditions contained in Otago Regional Council permits, Ms Caunter said.
The Wanaka Landfill site has an industrial and business history extending back some 50 or 60 years, and the QLDC had not required consents until 2003.
The overlap with the ORC consents had created an "undesirable" situation and the consent application was essentially a "catch-up", she said.
It had been applied for at short notice, after the QLDC threatened enforcement action. Once granted, the consent would fall in line with other consents.
Mr Duncan was not seeking to increase volumes above the amount already consented, she said.
Otago Fish and Game officer John Hollows said gravel extraction would adversely affect the trout and salmon sport fishery.
The Cardrona River riverbed, although significantly degraded, provided a significant spawning habitat for trout and salmon in the Clutha River and Lake Dunstan fisheries, he said.
He raised concerns about the overlap of consents between the two councils and suggested there should be a joint hearing.
"This would ensure that any decision fully reflects both sets of plans and it is not released with unworkable consent conditions ... In general, the proposed conditions relating to gravel extraction appear written from an engineering perspective and, in my opinion, ecological values have not been adequately addressed," Mr Hollows said.
Submissions were also presented by neighbour Jo Dippie, who was among those concerned about dust, noise, truck speeds, destruction of habitat and the effect of mining on the river bed and surrounding amenities.
Ms Dippie believed unresolved title transfer issues between the QLDC and Mr Duncan, relating to their 1999 sale and purchase agreement, should be settled before the gravel activities were consented.
Several supporters were mostly united in saying local gravel, obtained at a competitive price, was needed for the construction industry.
Many also supported the site as suitable for a gravel extraction plant.
