Auckland millionaires fail to attend controversial helipad hearing in person
The Rawene Avenue property where the helipad might be built.
Photo:
RNZ/Maia Ingoe
Multi-millionaire couple Anna Mowbray and Ali Williams have not taken up the chance to personally convince a hearing that they should be granted a suburban helipad.
Thursday was the final day for the applicants to satisfy the panel of independent commissioners that their application meets the demands and conditions of a helicopter pad at their Rawene Avenue property in Westmere, Auckland.
The
resource consent application hearing
was adjourned on Thursday, with the couple absent from the hearing.
Anna Mowbray of Zuru Toys and the job platform Zeil, and former All-Black Ali Williams' contentious application hearing has gone ahead this month at the Auckland Town Hall, without their physical presence throughout.
During the hearing, a panel of independent commissioners have heard expert evidence and submissions from those opposing and supporting the application.
The hearing is not yet officially closed, RNZ understands this could take another week with the panel now deliberating whether they require further information.
The independent panel will then have a 15 working day window to announce a decision, meaning the couple will have to wait until later next month to hear an outcome.
The applicants' lawyer, Chris Simmons, asked the panel not to let their absence influence their decision making.
"I'll take a moment just to encourage the panel not to read anything into the applicants' physical absence from the hearing," he said.
"They are absolutely invested in this application, they've been involved and in fact, I think that they've observed online, every minute of proceedings.
"The applicants have adopted a comprehensive approach to consultation and undertaken a thorough examination of potential adverse effects that been identified," the lawyer said.
According to Auckland Council, out of 1397 written submissions made on the application, a majority - 1227, or 87 percent -
opposed the helipad
. One hundred and eight were supportive, and 12 were neutral.
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