Nod for plan to turn quarry into sections
Fulton Hogan sought the plan change to rezone 120ha of land at Parkburn Quarry, about 12km from Cromwell, to allow a range of urban zoning, as the quarry is nearing the end of its life.
In February last year, the panel of two independent commissioners, Gary Rae and Rosalind Day-Cleavin, together with Central Otago district councillor Ian Cooney, heard Fulton Hogan wanted to convert its Parkburn Quarry, which borders Pisa Moorings to the west, into 543 lots for residential settlement.
There would also be a retail area and industrial zone.
In September Central Otago district councillors accepted the recommendation of the independent hearings panel to allow the plan change.
However, a late appeal was received in November from Pisa Village Development Ltd, on the final day of the appeal period, centring on two pieces of land owned by the appellant which would be affected by the plan change decision.
Central Otago Mayor Tamah Alley said the secret was out — Central Otago was the place to live and work, which was putting huge pressure on the region's housing stock.
However, it was important there was a coherent plan for development.
A big part of the council's work was to ensure land was available for development but not in a ''higgledy-piggledy mess''.
As towns grew and expanded into what was rural, vineyard or orchard land it was important to make sure the expansion was in keeping with the reasons people came here in the first place, Mrs Alley said.
The Environment Court decision ordered the district council to amend its district plan with conditions related to water and wastewater treatment and access to SH6.
Most of the development in the low-density residential area will not go ahead until the Cromwell wastewater treatment plant has been upgraded, the Cromwell and Pisa Moorings water schemes combined and a regional council water-take consent issued.
An alternate option would be to have relevant consents obtained to privately service the area with a communal supply designed to enable connection to a public network when available.
There is also a restriction on the distance from SH6 construction will be allowed.
In the low-density residential and medium-density residential zones there could be up to 559 sections once NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi approves changes to SH6 including a left-turn lane and priority-controlled intersection or single land roundabout.
Further expansion of the subdivision would depend on greater changes being made to access from SH6, including a dual-lane roundabout.
At the consent hearing in February HWR, an Invercargill-based company, which operates a quarry to the north of the Fulton Hogan site, supported the plan change.
Bonisch Consultants planner Christine McMillan said HWR was also considering what to do at the end of its quarry's life and intended to repurpose it similarly.
julie.asher@allied media.co.nz
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Otago Daily Times
2 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
Dippie steps down as chairman of tourism giant
Outgoing RealNZ chair Martin Dippie. PHOTO: ODT FILES Queenstown-based tourism giant RealNZ is after a new chair. Prominent Otago businessman Martin Dippie's stepping down after three years at the helm — the company owns Queenstown's iconic steamship TSS Earnslaw, Walter Peak Farm, Cardrona and Treble Cone skifields and Milford and Doubtful Sound coaches and cruises, among other attractions. "Three years is a good period for me," he says, having last year also stood down as chair of the Mitre 10 retail cooperative and from the Otago University Council. "I really enjoyed being part of the team, but I'm a busy guy — [it's] amazing how three years went past in a jiffy." Dippie says he's looking forward to having more time for himself — "and we're doing a lot of endurance rallying and our kids are overseas". In 2022, Dippie along with main investor Milford Asset Management, Queenstown's Rod Drury, Jonty Edgar and Brendan Lindsay poured tens of millions of dollars into RealNZ to shore up its balance sheet and allow investment in technology, innovation and sustainability. However the Hutchins family, who founded the company 71 years ago, remained the majority shareholder. Dippie pays special credit to the Hutchins family — "there's not many businesses, particularly family businesses, that can get to that age". He says "the business is in great heart". "I can't speak highly enough about the business and the people — it's a business with a real warm heart." Milford Asset Management's John Johnston's acting chair while the company searches for a new chair, Dippie says. "I think there'll be a queue of very, very capable people." — Philip Chandler
Otago Daily Times
2 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
Nominations reflect ‘years of hard work'
The Whitestone Cheese Diner and Deli staff. PHOTO: RACHEL WYBROW PHOTOGRAPHY A trio of Oamaru eateries have been named in a "must-visit" list of the nation's best restaurants all vying for the title of Restaurant of the Year. Well-known food magazine Cuisine has unveiled its much-anticipated Good Food Guide 2025, spotlighting more than 300 of New Zealand's best dining destinations, including Oamaru-based restaurants, Cucina, Riverstone Kitchen and White Stone Cheese Deli & Diner. "We're thrilled about the Cuisine nomination," Whitestone Cheese Co, managing director Simon Berry said. "It's a wonderful accolade for our Deli & Diner team, especially since we've recently improved our breakfast and lunch menus. So, we're very pleased to see that work recognised with this nomination. Bevan Smith from Riverstone Kitchen. PHOTO: EMMA WILLETTS "This is only our second year in operation and we've been nominated by Cuisine each year since we opened. This independent assessment truly shows that our offering is considered among the top hospitality establishments in the region. "It's a fantastic achievement for our entire team, who have all worked together to develop our new dish combinations, that highlight our full cheese range, served with the region's wonderful produce." Cucina co-owner Yanina Tacchini said the restaurant was "truly honoured and grateful" to be nominated again. "It's a recognition that reflects the years of hard work, passion, and dedication our entire team puts into Cucina every single day. Cucina owners Yanina and Pablo Tacchini. PHOTO: ALLIED PRESS FILES "It's heartening to see our efforts acknowledged, especially during times when the narrative around our business hasn't always reflected the full picture or the values we stand by. "We remain focused on delivering excellence and staying true to who we are. Perhaps this nomination serves as a timely reminder that substance and integrity do, in fact, shine through." The Cuisine Good Food Awards, will take place on August 18, and will be presented by American Express, where 20 category winners and over 95 hatted-restaurants will be announced including American Express Restaurant of the Year and Cuisine Chef of the Year. "As always we are thrilled to release our list of the New Zealand restaurants that will be featured in our Cuisine Good Food Guide for 2025," Cuisine owner and editor Kelli Brett says. "Despite the challenges across the hospitality industry we are seeing new openings and it's exciting to see that many are embracing an elevated casual approach that showcases the flavours and hospitable culture of Aotearoa so well."
Otago Daily Times
2 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
After-tax profit of $5.1m for Network Waitaki
Consumer-owned lines company Network Waitaki has posted a positive result for the financial year. The Oamaru-based electricity distribution company's 2025 annual report shows it made a $5.1million after-tax profit. Network Waitaki, which is wholly-owned by the Waitaki Power Trust (WPT), also paid a discount and returned $1.15m to consumers through energy retailers. "This is the benefit of your network being owned 100% by the Waitaki Power Trust," the WPT latest annual report states. "This financial result has been achieved following a focus on tight cost-control measures to counteract the inflationary environment experienced over the year. "Sustained profitability is essential so that Network Waitaki can support the reinvestment that is needed in the network over the coming decade. "Trustees understand affordability is a real issue for power users, especially in the current economic climate. "While the network requires investment, there is a concerted effort to spread the cost over a long period, so costs don't only fall on today's users where upgrades have longer term benefit for the next generation of customers." For the year ending March 31, 2025, Network Waitaki recorded a total revenue of $35.5m, down $1m on 2024. The $5.1m after-tax profit was $0.96m up from the 2024 financial year. The profit has been invested back into the company. Company assets grew 7.7% to $162m, putting the year-end debt position at $17.65m, with a debt-to-total assets ratio of 10.8%. Network Waitaki chief executive Dylan Andrews presented highlights of the report to the annual meeting on Tuesday and said the company had successfully delivered on its core business objectives and met its targets outlined in its Statement of Intent around safety, financial performance and reliability. "I'm particularly proud to report that there were no lost time injuries in any critical risk areas. Safety remains our top priority in both the planning and operation of our business," he told the Oamaru Mail. "NWL has made payments of $17.5m to local suppliers and staff during the financial year. Additionally, our $155,000 sponsorship programme further demonstrates our commitment to supporting our region. "We continue to maintain the electricity network with a dedicated workforce of 100 employees, ensuring high levels of reliability. "However, our greatest challenge is addressing the constraints in certain parts of our network, which could lead to disruptions during a hot and dry summer if demand exceeds capacity. We have precious little headroom therefore need to address this over the coming years. "To tackle this issue, the company is exploring various solutions, including the development of a new Grid Exit Point [GXP] that supports renewable energy sources such as solar and battery storage. It is crucial that any investment in a new GXP is carefully planned, timed and co-ordinated with all parties to ensure the fair distribution of costs, as we are mindful of the pricing impact on both current and future electricity customers." Network Waitaki sets distribution (lines) charges, which is the amount it charged electricity retailers to transport electricity to homes. It makes up about 27% of a total household power bill. Lines charges recently rose about 19%, effective from April 1,which is start of the company's 2026 financial year.
