The level of community consultation on an ecofriendly camping ground proposed for Glenorchy is unprecedented, a resource consent hearing has been told.
Counsel for applicant Pounamu Holdings, Mike Holm, told commissioners Jane Taylor and Bob Nixon that some media reports describing the township as divided over the proposal were ''the product of a tiny group of determined opponents adept in public relations and media''.
The two-day hearing began in Queenstown yesterday to consider a consent application for ''Camp Glenorchy'' by Pounamu directors and millionaire philanthropists Paul and Debbi Brainerd.
The American couple want to build the country's greenest camping ground with a complex of 16 buildings on a 1.1ha site on the corner of Oban and Coll Sts.
The application, publicly notified at their request, has attracted 49 submissions, 22 of which are in support and 14 opposed.
Opponents have expressed concerns about building height and setbacks, traffic safety and environmental impacts.
Mr Holm said the Brainerds had an ''outstanding track record of commitment to high quality and sustainable projects'', and the level of consultation on the project was ''unprecedented''.
In his statement, Mr Brainerd said that consultation had involved more than 450 people in about 250 formal and informal meetings.
He conceded the process had been more difficult than anticipated, and he and his wife had been ''cursed out'' and ''called liars'' at public meetings.
Profits from the camping ground's commercial operation would be given to a charitable community trust for distribution to local community projects, he said.
In the long term, they planned to transfer ownership of the camping ground and land to be developed in future stages to the trust.
Future development proposed for completion in the next five to seven years includes more accommodation buildings, a community classroom and movie theatre, and an artist-in-residence workshop.
A Queenstown Lakes District Council report recommends the application be approved, subject to conditions.
