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Elmo Cotter, 17, makes the most of the popular new pump track at Lismore Bike Park. The track, maintained by Bike Wanaka, was opened on Labour Weekend.
A cheeky end for Jup page 4
PHOTO: wanaka.tv
Community for cinema Deluge of submissions support Paradiso Sue Wards
Work as it should be page 7
Muka prints page 10
sunviews
page 17
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The Wanaka community has spoken clearly in favour of Cinema Paradiso operating from the old Catholic church on Brownston Street, with at least 1000 submissions received in support of the cinema’s application – more than has been received on any previous application. Cinema Paradiso owner Callum McLeod said he was “absolutely humbled” by the response. “The community has bought into the fact that we are a community theatre,” he said. Of the 952 submissions Callum has read, 84 percent were from rate paying residents. “It’s a real solid group of the local body, and surely that will count for something,” he said. While he has his fingers crossed for the application to be approved, he said, “The show ain’t over until the fat lady starts tickling her pipes.” Queenstown Lakes District Council
commissioner David Whitney ruled a resource application to relocate the cinema to the former Catholic church on Brownston Street should be publicly notified, citing concerns about the effects of “peripheral expansion rather than intensification of activity in the
The Brownston Street church is owned by Varina Property Ltd, directed by Australian-based Duffy Krook. Since the deadline for submissions closed, Lakes Environmental has received at least 1000 submissions, with only one opposing the application.
It’s a real solid group of the local body, and surely that will count for something. Wanaka town centre; effects in terms of blurring the clear definition of the edge of the town centre at Brownston Street; effects in terms of pedestrian movement across Brownston Street; and effects in terms of the integrity of the District Plan”. Callum has spent five years and more than $100,000 on the resource consent process so far, including expenditure on an earlier application for a site at the junction of Highways 6 and 84.
The submission in opposition was from a member of Wanaka’s New Life Church, who would like the church group to be able to continue to use the former Catholic church to worship in. Callum said he is “more than happy” to co-share the space with the church, as had previously been organised with the Baptist Church on the current cinema site. Lakes Environmental spokesperson Rachel Beer said late submissions
were still arriving, with 940 counted and a possible 150 more to be entered on the computer system. Most used the standard form provided and distributed by Callum. While it was “wonderful” to have a lot of submissions indicating public opinion, ultimately Resource Management Act issues must be addressed in the application, she said. A hearing will be held on November 30 and Lakes Environmental has asked Commissioner Jane Taylor for the decision to be made before Christmas. Regardless of what the decision is, Callum said the cinema will undergo a major technical upgrade at the end of this month. If the application is approved, he hopes the cinema will be in business at the new site on Brownston Street for the holiday period.