Roys Peninsula has been on the "western front" of a lengthy development battle in Wanaka and could not absorb any more development, Upper Clutha Environmental Society president Julian Haworth said yesterday.
Mr Haworth was giving submissions at a resource consent hearing for Clevermaker Ltd, which wants to build a house and garage on a 24ha lot on the eastern arm of Roys Peninsula.
Commissioners Trevor Shiels and Lyal Cocks completed the hearing yesterday and have reserved their decision.
Clevermaker Ltd is associated with Cardrona couple Hil Stapper and Mario Kiesow.
Their lawyer, Pru Steven, of Christchurch, submitted this week the development would not transcend the threshold at which the landscape could absorb the changes.
The society disagrees, arguing the buildings would have significant adverse visual effects and did not meet the "reasonably difficult to see" test.
The society also argues other peninsula developments have already changed the character of the landscape, which is designated an outstanding natural feature.
"If anyone knows anything about Roys Peninsula on this planet, that's me... It's the western front of the environmental battle in Wanaka. The environmental society has been battling it for more than six years and I certainly know Roys Peninsula," Mr Haworth said.
Development the commissioners must consider when determining cumulative effects on the peninsula comprised telecommunication towers; three built residences; two consented residences yet to be built; a variety of existing farm buildings and sheds; a farm residence at the entrance to the peninsula; two consented but unbuilt farm sheds; and one consented house site under appeal to the Environment Court, Mr Haworth said.
Mr Haworth said Mr Kiesow and Ms Stapper's house and garage would be seen in conjunction with much of the existing and yet-to-be-built development.
He identified an alternative site the society thought was better for a residential complex but stressed some problems remained and the adverse effects would still be more than minor.
The alternative site was about 200m away from the applicants' site and had excellent northwest views and a high level of amenity, Mr Haworth said.
The advantages of the alternative site included being less visible from the lake and not visible from the West Wanaka to Minaret Burn track or the Te Ararua track being built from Damper Bay to Glendhu Bay, he said.
Cumulative effects at the alternative site would be reduced because the house would be seen less often in conjunction with two neighbouring houses and the telecommunication facilities, he said.
Mr Haworth also said Lakes Environmental planner Christian Martin's report recommending consent be granted was deficient in that it did not fully assess cumulative or adverse effects and did not refer to the telecommunication structures.
Mr Haworth also noted Mr Kiesow and Ms Stapper were not offering to set up a covenant refraining from further development.
