The McDonald’s three-day hearing finished yesterday after the commissioning panel heard from council staff.
The fast food giant is seeking consent to open a 455sq m restaurant on the Wānaka-Luggate Highway, at the entrance to Wānaka, with a drive-through operating 24/7.
The final day of the hearing wrapped up the three-day discussions with council staff giving their summary statements, most of which remained largely unchanged.
McDonald’s made its case on Monday, saying it had made architectural changes and put a waste management plan in place to address concerns over the proposed restaurant along the base of Mt Iron.
This was followed the next day by the majority of local submitters opposing the location, environmental and health impacts of the proposed McDonald's.
Council reporting planner Andrew Woodford gave his final statement. His original report recommended the proposal be declined.
Mr Woodford’s summary began by asserting that the last two days of the hearing had not changed the "overall conclusions" of his report.
He said the proposed restaurant would "have more than minor adverse effects".
He recognised the information provided by both McDonald’s and local submitters when he addressed issues regarding waste management, the rural nature of the location and the importance of Mt Iron.
Mr Woodford acknowledged the company’s waste management plan, consisting significantly of proposed rubbish bin locations, would partially address littering issues but would not be able to capture litter caused further into the town by the drive-through.
He concluded the McDonald’s plan would therefore "not likely address submitters’ concerns".
Mr Woodford also dismissed claims made by McDonald’s the location was more urban than rural due to the new roundabout and lighting surrounding the proposed location on the busy Wanaka-Luggate highway intersection.
"I consider the site to be semi-rural, that is to say more rural than urban."
Mr Woodford mentioned the importance of Mt Iron as a memorable landmark while also referencing Dr John Cossens’ opposing submission that "the rural zone is an overlay".
One of Mr Woodford’s final issues regarded any precedents the development might set.
He said it "could set a precedent to enable more urban development not otherwise anticipated".
Commission chairwoman Helen Atkins said the panel would aim to give McDonald’s the opportunity to reply virtually in about two weeks before making its final decision. She was unsure of when the outcome would be released, but it was unlikely to be before Christmas.
- By Rawan Saadi
