Central Otago District Council is withholding their decision on Plan Change 13 until they receive the outstanding $260,000 owed from the consent applicant, River Terrace Developments Limited, which is owned by the developing group Winton. Plan Change 13 is a request to change zoning in order to accommodate a 900 residential lot in Cromwell which was debated before independent commissioners in June and July. 

Louise van der Voort, executive manager of planning and environment, said this hearing “resulted in significant costs for processing the plan change which are to be paid by the applicant.” According to van der Voort, some costs date back several months. “It is disappointing the applicant has not yet settled the outstanding costs,” said Central Otago District Council chief executive Sanchia Jacobs. “Council is now considering traditional debt recovery mechanisms so the decision can be released. The money owing is ratepayers’ money.” 

Chris Meehan, Winton CEO, responded to these claims saying: “Given the unprecedented quantum of the amount invoiced by CODC, we are awaiting a full breakdown of how CODC incurred these PC13 costs. Winton has paid $180,000 of CODC’s costs to date, and the balance owing of $260,000 has been paid into a Belly Gully Solicitors Trust account in good faith – demonstrating Winton’s intention to pay costs once evidence is received that they are accurate and reasonable.” Winton, the developer behind Wānaka’s Northlake, has recently come under criticism for its no-objection clauses, so much so that Wānaka Community Supporting Our Northlake Neighbours Inc (WCSONNI) filed papers in the High Court against the company.