Manapouri foreshore consent granted

Southland District Council has been granted resource consent to undertake some native vegetation clearing and earthworks on the Manapouri Foreshore.

Independent commissioner Allan Cubitt, of Dunedin, granted the consent with 17 detailed conditions after a hearing was held in Te Anau on April 7 and 8.

Council group manager environment and community Bruce Halligan said Mr Cubitt had been engaged to ensure objectivity in the decision-making process, as Council was the applicant and it would be inappropriate for Council's resource management committee to also be the decision-maker.

The purpose of the proposed works is to maintain key viewshafts to the lake, as previously identified in the Manapouri Foreshore Reserve Management Plan, and to establish additional parking in the Frasers Beach area.

The resource consent application drew nearly 100 submissions, with about three-quarters of these in support or conditional support. Several opposing submitters expressed concerns regarding the environmental effects of the proposed activities.

Mr Cubitt granted the resource consent until 2030, subject to the 17 conditions. He excluded several areas with more significant existing native vegetation from any modification and he required provision of a detailed pest weed management plan, detailed controls to minimise potential for soil erosion, and provision of a landscape plan to mitigate the visual effects of the roading work.

The applicant and submitters can appeal this decision to the Environment Court within a period of 15 working days from the decision being released.