The resource consent hearing of controversial plans to build a watersports facility on the edge of Lake Wanaka is due to begin this morning.
The application by the Wanaka Watersports Facility Trust will be heard by independent commissioners Robert Nixon and David Clarke.
It is understood proceedings will begin with a visit to the site on Queenstown Lakes District Council recreation reserve land in Roys Bay, near Stoney Creek.
Deputy chairman of the watersports trust Mick Hollyer explained to the Otago Daily Times at the weekend how the $40,000 the trust was granted by the Central Lakes Trust would be spent.
Opponents of the watersports facility have been critical of the Central Lakes Trust for making the grant before the facility has received consent.
Mr Hollyer said the grant was approved ‘‘as a contribution towards the costs of the resource consent hearing fees''.
Hearing fees would be charged to the trust by the council to cover its internal administrative costs relating to the hearing and the costs of the commissioners hearing the application, Mr Hollyer said.
‘‘No part of the grant can be used for any costs incurred by the trust in respect of its experts or its legal representation.''
He expected the hearing fees to exceed the amount of the grant.
