A suspended bunker proposal among rocky outcrops on the Tarras-Cromwell highway has attracted a range of submissions both for and against.

JKH Holdings has applied for consent to construct the 890sqm, eight metre deep bunker, which includes five bedrooms, a gym and media room, finished with a ‘green roof’ camouflaged by surrounding vegetation.

It was publicly notified by Central Otago District Council in September and attracted 13 submissions, including from the Director General of Conservation and Aukaha Ltd.

The original consent for a building platform of 1,600sqm on a lower section of the 335.72ha site, zoned Outstanding Natural Landscape (ONL), was relinquished by the owners.

Conditions of the original consent did not allow for any schist outcrops to be disturbed, while the current application requires that two be moved for construction.

The suspended bunker will be close to the Devils Creek walkway (labelled 7 on map). Photo: Supplied

Situated below the Dunstan Range near Devils Creek, the dwelling is proposed to have an overall height of 3.85m.

The application gained the support of seven submitters.

But in its opposing submission, Aukaha general manager Mana Taiao said Te Rūnaka were concerned about adverse effects on the cultural landscape of development within the rural areas of their takiwa, and capacity of that landscape to absorb those impacts. 

“The location of the proposed dwelling is significantly higher than the approved building platform and, while it has a low profile, the dwelling has a very large footprint with long facades containing substantial glazing.”

Although there were no recorded Māori archaeological sites within the boundary of the site, the submission stated there was the potential to disturb unrecorded sites.

A separate submission from Waihōpai Rūnaka opposed the removal of the two schist stone walls for the bunker construction.

The Landscape Assessment report for the applicant outlined how the bunker would be cut into the hillside to integrate with three rock outcrops on each of its corners.

The rooflines western and southern corners would terminate into existing rock outcrops, with the southern corner flush with existing ground level. The northern façade and eastern corner would cantilever over a schist foundation podium by approximately 2.5m.

The planner’s report said overall the proposed activity was likely to have adverse effects on the wider environment that were more than minor. Therefore, public notification was required.

The applicant proposed extensive ecological enhancement of the site in the form of a 4.8ha predator proof sanctuary, and the provision of 14,000 indigenous plants at various locations across the property. 

Department of Conservation Central Otago operations manager Charlie Sklenar, on behalf of the Director General of Conservation, took a neutral stance, and asked for a condition that the predator proof lizard sanctuary be protected by a legal mechanism such as a covenant.

A hearing will follow in due course.

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