Opponents stick with complaints | Oamaru News | Local News in Oamaru

Several of the parties opposing the Kakanui Camping Ground resource consent are standing their ground after owner Allan Jones dismissed their submissions as ludicrous.

Mr Jones is seeking resource consent to continue and intensify the operation of visitor accommodation on his 1.23ha property in Kakanui. His consent attempts have protracted a decade-long battle.

In Friday's Oamaru Mail, Mr Jones described a number of the submissions against his application  as "ludicrous", because they had come from people who either no longer lived in the area or hardly did so. 

Weston man Graham Addy, who lived opposite the camping ground for 13 years, made a submission against the resource consent on the grounds of noise concern, visual impact, traffic safety and closeness to the Kakanui Primary School.

Mr Addy moved to Weston last year, and said the camping ground, for some part, influenced his decision.

"For years I put up with loud music with bass notes," he said.

"As a past neighbour, I owe it to the current neighbours to try and prevent his operation ... especially the young couple who bought my  house."

An unnamed opposing submitter said it was unfortunate the issue had to "go on and on and on".
The submitter said  she bought the nearby property with her husband, because it was in "such a lovely rural area", describing it as paradise.

The couple have since sold up, labelling the camping ground saga as a huge part in their decision to leave.

Mr Jones first applied to establish a camping ground with a licensed restaurant and bar on-site through the Waitaki District Council in the 1990's. The council declined the consent, which Mr Jones appealed in the Environment Court. The court confirmed the council's decision on the grounds of adverse effects, particularly noise and traffic.

Mr Jones applied for resource consent again in 2005, proposing the establishment and operation of visitor accommodation on his property, but without restaurant and bar facilities. Mr Addy made an opposing submission in 2005.

Although the council received 20 submissions in support compared to 13 in opposition in 2005, the application was again declined.

"All the effects that the Waitaki District Council found would result from it in 2005 did in fact occur," Mr Addy said.

In 2007 a further application to the council was granted consent.

The period for lodging submissions regarding Mr Jones' latest application closed on December 12, 2011.

Council planning manager David Campbell said   four submissions were received, three in opposition, and one neutral.

Mr Jones said he believed he had the backing of the Kakanui community, especially because his operation would discourage freedom camping.

A public hearings committee will consider the proposal on February 7.