Resort plan open for public comment

Press, 27 July 1988, Page 5

Resort plan open for public comment

By

JANE DUNBAR

An environmental impact assessment of the molti-million-dollar Pinnacles Resort development proposal at Ryton Station is open for public comment.

A ski-field, three accommodation centres, tennis courts, swimming pool, golf course and nature park are proposed for the station, which lies in Canterbury’s high country. The report, prepared by Boffa Miskell Partners for the developer, is open for public comment until August 25. Applications for water rights from the North Canterbury Catchment Board, and for a recreation permit and special lease for a ski-field from Landcorp, are also open for comment.

Existing public access to the station will not be affected by the development other than at the proposed ski-field where “pedestrian access for most of the year will be available,” says the environmental impact assessment.

It notes the importance of Ryton Station for recreational fishing and says care will be taken to

ensure the fishery is protected. The relevant acclimatisation society will be regularly consulted, it says. There was “little or no prospect of adverse effects on fisheries because of ammonia toxicity” as the waste treatment and disposal system conformed to standards set by the 1985 Rakaia National Water Conservation Order, it said. The water quality of Lake Coleridge and the Ryton River will be protected during the construction period by building temporary and permanent silt traps and soak pits to reduce sediment flow into waterways and wetlands.

The report refers to two D.S.I.R. studies of the station’s botanical values, and says “where possible” the recommendations have been adopted — for example, not damming the twin tarns on the skifield to form a reservoir

as originally proposed.

But the main ski-field carpark will be built on tall tussock grassland which is also recommended for protection. This is necessary because of avalanche paths, says the report. The protection of the birds, the southern crested grebe and marsh crake, during the breeding season, is said to be important. Particular care will be taken in areas such as the Mossburn wetlands during construction so fauna values are protected, says the report.

The road from the end of the seal on Homestead Road out to the “Retreat” site and up to the ski-field will be widened and sealed. “Extreme care will be taken of adjacent wetlands, streams and vegetation during construction.”

Ryton Station will continue to be farmed as a high-country merino sheep station.