Objectors cite use of reserves, precedent

Press, 20 August 1986, Page 5

Objectors cite use of reserves, precedent

Two objectors to the gondola project were heard by the hearing’s commissioner, Mr Ron De Goldi, yesterday. Mr David Holdemess, counsel for the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society, said the society objected in principle to the developers using a scenic reserve. It was contrary to the Reserves Act, he said. The society was concerned also that vegetation would be disturbed during construction of the complex. More people, who might be inclined to stray all over the reserve rather than keeping to would also "p|essure flora.”

Any rules to keep people to paths would have to be stringent, and would be hard to police, Mr Holdemess submitted. The society said the gondola was a good system to get people to the Summit Road. It would support the complex provided the site further up the hill (the second choice of the developers) was used. The Summit Road Society said the Heathcote County and Lyttelton Borough councils would create a precedent if they granted permission for the complex. The councils could be hard-pressed to refuse permission for similar developments in ' future.

The gondola would intrude on Mount Cavendish’s skyline. The hill was one of the few visible from Christchurch which did not have building of some type already on it. The society submitted that the clean lines of the Port Hills formed an important back-drop to Christchurch and the gondola could be better sited at Mount Pleasant or other hills. Motorists could be distracted by gondolas swinging overhead and the Summit Road was not a place to be distracted while driving, the society said. J’K will continue its r§riftence during today's Session of the hearing.