More than 20 groups, organisations, businesses and individuals have now had their say on the proposed Wānaka film park.

Though there has been broad support for the project from the region’s mayor, the regional film organisation and other public officials, submissions made so far have revealed a more wary reaction, particularly from residents living nearby. 

The proposed film park’s site is 332ha of rural land near Wānaka Airport, known as Corbridge Downs, which Silverlight Studios hopes to turn into a film park complete with studios, production offices, a film school, a screening theatre, and an exhibition centre.

It would also feature replicas of famous cities and sites like the River Seine and Central Park, and development could take place on 55ha of the site with some buildings reaching 17m tall.

Almost ten groups of residents living near the site have expressed their concerns with the project after being invited to comment by an expert consenting panel which is considering the film park application.

Some submitters raised concerns about the proposal for an urban activity to be carried out in a rural area. PHOTO: realestate.co.nz

Ian and Marguerite Galloway have lived opposite the proposed film site’s entrance for 40 years. 

While they love their “rural, outdoorsy lifestyle”, they submitted that “we greatly fear that is all about to change”.

They asked the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to consider the impact of the “extremely big commercial venture in the middle of a rural landscape” on their quality of enjoyment at home.

A submission from the Roberts Family Trust, which shares a 540-metre boundary with the proposed film park site, said the family was not opposed to the development but it had a series of concerns.

It was one of a number of nearby households worried about the potential increases in noise, traffic, light pollution and visual amenity, but is perhaps unique among other neighbours in that the family home has an uninterrupted view of Corbridge Downs.

If the film park was to go ahead as per the application, from their home the family would see the sets of Venice, Paris, the Medieval Village and the Great Hall, and possibly the top of the 17m high sound studios and car parks.

The family was “shocked” when the nature and scale of the proposed film park was revealed.

“The subject site is rural farmland, and the proposed film studio and surrounds will effectively change this to an urban/light industrial area...the application is to locate a small industrial town 800 metres from our rural property and family home,” the Roberts Family Trust said.

Colin and Dawn Pollard, who also live nearby, were also concerned with the impacts of the film park on their rural property. Like others, they weren’t in opposition of the project proceeding but said they were concerned with the effect on the rural landscape.

“While we are not against the Silverlight Studio Development and we do acknowledge that it will be good for the local economy and community, the impact on the immediate neighbours does need to be acknowledged as this is an urban activity being carried out in a rural area.” 

Neighbours Jim and Fiona Turner sought assurance that no buildings or man-made structures would be visible from their property and Tooku Trust, neighbouring farmers, asked for a green belt of evergreen trees be planted so visual effects be mitigated. 

Other submitters included Queenstown Lakes District Council, which said the significant long-term benefits of the project needed to be “carefully weighed up against the potential adverse effects of the proposal on landscape and the rural character of the surrounding area”; the Queenstown Airport Corporation, which had a series of concerns about the impact on airport operations; the Mt Barker Residents Association, which said the project would “change the nature of Wānaka forever”; and the Luggate Community Association, who supported the proposal and the economic benefits it would bring.

The application is being considered under the Covid-19 Recovery Act 2020 (the Act) that provides for a short-term consenting process to fast track projects that can boost employment and economic recovery.

The expert consenting panel assigned to Silverlight Studios’ application include resource management specialist Heather Ash (chair), Tauranga-based barrister Jan Caunter, independent RMA hearing commissioner Robert van Voorthuysen and independent director Karen Coutts.