Public comment is being sought on the proposal to reclaim the Wanaka oxidation pond land for 'yard based' industry, Queenstown Lakes District Council senior policy analyst Joshua Clydesdale said.

"The council wants to hear from the community on the proposal, which would require a plan change to reclaim the 20 ha Ballantyne Road land," Mr Clydesdale said.

The existing oxidation ponds would be decommissioned after the new 'Project Pure' waste treatment and disposal system has been constructed at Wanaka Airport.

"The council is proposing to rezone the ponds site to allow for activities like transportation or timber yards to proceed in accordance with a master plan for the site," he said.

A discussion document outlining the purpose of the proposed Plan Change and the options to develop the site could be viewed at council offices at Wanaka and Queenstown or on the council website www.qldc.govt.nz.

Comments on the proposed plan change should be received by Friday, 10 August, 2007.

"From there the council will make a decision on how to proceed. If it decides to go ahead with a plan change there will be further opportunity for the community to make formal submissions on the proposal," he said.

ENDS

For further enquiries please contact Joshua Clydesdale on 03 441 0476.

By: Tamah