Remarkables ski-field approved by tribunal

Press, 16 April 1980, Page 3

Remarkables ski-field approved by tribunal

PA Dunedin The Planning Tribunal (No. 3 Division) has found in. favour of a proposal by the Mount Cook Group to establish a ski-field and access road at Rastus Burn, near Queenstown. The tribunal’s decision resulted from a hearing in which the Remarkables Protection Committee appealed against an earlier decision by the Lake County Council to allow the ski-field development to go ahead. The development includes a ski area, ski lifts, tourist facilities, buildings, parking areas, and a two-lane access road. , , , The tribunal concluded that the facilities the company intends providing “will be adequate to protect members of the public from any sudden changes in weather conditions.” It is also satisfied that the basin can be developed as a ski-field with minimal disturbance to its ecology.

A majority of the tribunal considered the Rastus Basin

was suitable for the type of development proposed, and that there would be sufficient suitable snow for the type of ski-ing envisaged. In relation to the access road, the tribunal concluded “that a two-lane road can be constructed, in accordance with the plans produced by the applicant within the constraints imposed by the Lake County Council in the conditions attached jto its .consent.

“There will be difficulties which we are satisfied can be handled by proper engineering techniques,” said the tribunal, in its decision. “We are, however, satisfied that the western face or ‘classical view’ of the Remarkables mountains will not be affected by the construction of the road.” A majority of the tribunal, including Judge Skelton (chairman), Mr G. W. Ensor, and Mr G. J. Broker, decided the appeal by the Remarkables Protection Committee should be dismissed.-

The fourth member of the tribunal, Mr R. J. Calvert, dissented from the majority decision and decided in favour of allowing the appeal, and cancelling the Mount Cook Group’s right to £0 ahead with the development. All questions of costs in respect of the appeal were reserved pending the application for costs by counsel. “We are very happy with the decision,” said Mr P. Phillips, managing director of the Mount; Cook Group, yesterday. He said a lot of the figures in the feasibility study completed midway through last year would have to be changed to take account of inflation and rising prices. Mr Phillips said it was too early to talk of projected starting dates.“Quite frankly we are going to have to get used to the idea that a decision has been reached.- It has been about six or seven years now,” he said.