Judge John Hassan this week disallowed the appeal by Save Wanaka Lake Front Reserve Inc against the decision to grant resource consent for the 420sq m Wanaka Watersports Facility. Assuming there is no appeal to the High Court, the way should now be clear for the Wanaka Watersports Facility Trust to raise further funding and find contractors. The fights over Eely Point and Penrith Park are testament to activism that has safeguarded premier public spaces against threatened development. In this instance, however, there is a strong countervailing public interest, the acute need for the facility for the people of the district. Conditions can also be attached so the public are not shut out.

Source: Otago Daily Times June 21, 2017 18:22 UTC