Twenty-seven of the 86 people who made submissions on the controversial project are speaking to their submissions before a hearings panel of two, DOC's partnerships manager Barry Hanson and statutory manager Jo Gould.
The Buller District Council has applied to the department to use stewardship land at Dolomite Point, nearly opposite the Pancake Rocks, to build a long-awaited public hall for Punakaiki township.
Although the great majority of submitters (63-21) endorse the plan, there have been forthright objections from some bach owners and business people.
Punakaiki publican Ian Ryder told the hearing today that the small group of people who had been working with the council had not consulted the businesses in Punakaiki.
"They say they used their initiative - I call it arrogance," Mr Ryder said.
"There are 11 businesses here who have $30 million of assets, pay taxes and wages and employ 80 people. This group thought we were unworthy of being informed. They should have called a public meeting."
Mr Ryder said the group had dismissed the idea of better and cheaper locations in the village, citing the threat of rising seas.
"That is a slap in the face for ratepayers who are spending $1.2 million on a rockwall because they think they have something worth saving. This group will turn down every site except the top of the hill. What is the real reason? I answer: business."
Mr Ryder said if DOC approved the council's application it should set a condition that no business could be carried out in the community centre that would adversely affect any business between Fox River and Barrytown.
On the other side of the Punakaiki divide, submitter Fiona McDonald made a plea for a place that would improve the quality of life for families, and attract younger people to live in the area.
"We have an ageing population. When my son was born, he was the first child born in my neighbourhood for years. We need more young families, and young families need a place to meet and hold events that are not suitable for holding in commercial venues.
"We need a marae - a heart - and a place we can be proud of," Ms McDonald said.
Fox River resident Ross Smith told the Doc panel that in his 50 years on the Coast he had been to many meetings in places that were cold, uncomfortable and unfit for purpose.
"In those circumstances the quality of conversation and decision making goes downhill fast.
"I am pretty relaxed about the location (of the Punakaiki community centre) but I think it is the best of a limited bunch," Mr Smith said.
The hearing continues.
