Glenorchy Nimbys - Nitpickers and Anti Competitionites

When you read the newspaper articles covering the recent resource consent hearing you are made to think that the opposing submitters are NIMBY'S, nitpickers and anti-progress, they want you to think that the most fervent person opposing is mentally unstable, they want you to think that anyone whom has a business is anti-trade competition.  WHY?

As summed up by one of the supporting submitters whom was specifically asked to speak last. "Sometimes the Process got in the way".

Perhaps the real reason is they really don't want you to understand the true WHY?

The reason the resource consent had to be notified was due to 'Camp Glenorchy' applying to obtain permission to do things outside the Vision Plan and outside the District Plan.

I don't believe there is one person who is a complete 'anti' - most people realise that there is no stopping a project when there is provision for future growth in zoning for the progress of the town.  There is a great framework to be very creative in the Vision plan and District plan - i.e. the framework decided through proper process as to the way Glenorchy can be developed.  Equally 'Camp Glenorchy' can apply to go outside these plans and equally people can object through the submission process.

If at this point you want to put this blog into context here are some links:
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/queenstown-lakes/323451/oio-consent-missing-purchase
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11410084
http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/66628780/Glenorchy-rift-ripping-the-town-apart

Glenorchy Entrance changes - Why the opposing submitters have raised their concerns.

Can you imagine the entrance to Glenorchy.  Our current vision plan included the planting of trees to make a true entranceway to Glenorchy.  These were duly planted and have 10 years growth on them.  This picture is Milbrook - can you imagine cutting out a large section of these trees and putting in natives where the equivalent of Camp Glenorchy will be.

Now think about setbacks - there is a 10 metre building setback on the plans which was agreed to in the original subdivision - this is to keep the look of the entrance into town.  'Camp Glenorchy have said that this does not apply to them on a legal interpretation of poorly drafted rules.

Imagine now that you have the back area of cabins built right up to 5 metres from the road.  How does the entrance-way to Glenorchy feel now?  Would 10 metres that is in the plans feel better?  Now imagine where cars will naturally want to park if the back of the place they are staying is right by the road even if there is a carpark for them on the site.  Add the footpath along the road behind these accommodation facilities.  

Building Heights - Why are there objections to 7.5 metres

There was a meeting in 2012 with Scott Figgenshow from council with regards to the Glenorchy township section of the next district plan.  No-one could agree on anything except for the building height remaining at 5.5 metres.  So how did that suddenly change?  Don't try and read the minutes of the GCA meeting this changed in, ask someone that was at the meeting how this really was decided on.  Ask if it was on the agenda, ask how many paid up members voted on the item that was not on the agenda?  Was any process followed let alone the Glenorchy Community Association constitution?  There were lots of people at that meeting - the majority attached to 'Camp Glenorchy' in some way.  If process isn't followed, how is any decision legitimate?  Has everyone in town had a chance to speak to the motion or even consider it?  How can they if they don't have this on the agenda?  How can they plan to be there if the agenda itself is not out till just before the meeting.

The lawyers in the hearing were first saying that the Camp Glenorchy height breech didn't set a precedent and then next pointing out the trees and other buildings in town that already breech the 5.5 metre height limit.  Personally I would love to be able to build to 7.5 metres in Glenorchy township, as well as probably every commercial operator in town.  Does the township really think it is okay for Camp Glenorchy and no-one else.  Does this cause commercial disadvantage to the other operators in town when another commercial establishment is allowed to be a nearly 50% higher?

Impact of Camp Glenorchy 'Scale' - Why objections to the scale?

Extract from the District Plan for Glenorchy:-

“the purpose of the Township Zones is to maintain low density residential character
interspersed [scattered among or between things; placed here and there]with a 
number of non-residential activities”

Why have the submitters got concerns with the scale?
Will the numbers in visitor accommodation in the township exceed the residents?
Is there any planning for these sort of visitor numbers let alone the extra numbers of day visitors as a result? Has the GCA made a submission for the new district plan on how this is to be managed?
Have the GCA really thought about this before sending in a submission saying everyone is totally for this?  Have the GCA members read and understood the resource consent application?
Is this staged incremental low density growth when you compare it to the township of Glenorchy?

The submitters posing these questions are not against progress, not against Glenorchy and they are not star struck by the promise of the positive aspects of the plan.  The submitters are realists looking for the best for Glenorchy just like everyone else.  By people seeing the submissions for what they are:- i.e. as dialogue towards the best outcome, hopefully we all be a few steps closer to what is best for Glenorchy as a home, a workplace, a town and a place for all our visitors.

Farewell Samson - A Life and a Legend has passed

He witnessed and arrived in my life at exactly the same time as the love of my life in 1999 and has been with me every day since. 

He lies next to me un-burdened by the arthritis that left him having to bark to be helped up and unable to walk more than a short way unaided.  I hope now he is chasing rabbits on the river flats, barking for stones and logs and feels ready to spring off the wharf to chase the biggest log we could hurl in, and that his bark is there not to ask us for help, only to tell us the log he’s swimming for is not big enough.

Samson greeted every guest and all will miss him.  I am sure he took the odd sausage from a Kinloch camp BBQ and his affection sometimes was definitely motivated by his stomach, though for all that met Samson they will have been loved for a passing moment by an all-giving Golden Retriever boy who is not forgotten by anyone that arrived at Kinloch.

Samson is the reason we are at Kinloch.  When we looked at the lodge, we shook our heads at the amount of work that needed to be done, though you could not beat his enthusiasm and sense of rightness.  There is something about the lift of the head and the tail and the sheer perkiness of a decision.  He didn’t need to talk to tell us that we had to convince the bank and that this would be our home for what is now nearly 13 years.

We used to let our guests take the dogs for a walk and if they felt like it they would go.  I remember two keen animal loving vegetarians take them off for a walk only to witness Samson and Delilah tearing a baby possum apart.

Samson used to be an adventurer and I miss his tail raised proudly as he found something exciting to smell or dig out.

In the early days we spent a very fraught three days looking for Samson only to eventually find him down a canyon.  Perhaps it was a ploy to go canyoning as Mike Elvidge from Queenstown Canyoning had to come and rescue him.  Samson seemed to enjoy the adventurous side of life and even jumped into the driver’s seat on Dart River when Grimmer came to pick up guests on the beach. 

Once children arrived Samson was always there and understanding of time and the push-me, pull-you affect of bringing up a young family whilst still involved and responsible for a busy people-related business.  He was a great comfort when our families on several occasions questioned our sanity.

Samson according to my mother in law – bought up the kids.  He has always given us great comfort and surety and has been there for all of us – our regular heart-beat,  an un-judging friend and a constant giver of un-yielding love. 

Samson left us tonight with pink lipstick on his head placed for his beloved dog-mother Helen Cambell (Helly Welly) and I have struggled down a Bombay Sapphire to remember the early days and to farewell him in style and bring myself to write this.

We love you Samson.  You will never be forgotten. Rest in Peace

Amazing Photo at Turners Creek near Kinloch

With Glenorchy about to celebrate its 150th anniversary seeing photographs or things in their current authentic state from yesterday framed beautifully in photographs such as this is really special.https://www.facebook.com/REEMCBETHPHOTOGRAPHY

I mentioned some amazing local people that work for us.  Sharee is one of them.  Glenorchy is a hard place to make ends meet whether you are a business or a local person trying to support a family.  One needs to work harder for less and you need to be able to think outside the square to succeed.

Sharee has three great kids between 4 and 8, a great husband who works for DOC and lots of furry animals to look after.  Aside from this Sharee follows her passion for fine photography and is in the process of building a highly successful business in photography.  We love the shoot she did of the Glover children last year.  When the kids are in tow, you may find Sharee at the Lake House using her eye for detail, making over our guest rooms or working on her photographs at the Trading Post over a cappuccino.  We are trying to persuade Sharee to sell some of her wonderful photos, framed with matt board and in cellophane.  This is the perfect souvenir from Glenorchy.

Looking to get the right people on the bus

Recently I read a book by Jim Collins - Great by Choice.  In fact I listened to this while travelling to and from Glenorchy on www.audible.com.  If you have little time though do a bit of driving then I thoroughly recommend this book and Audible.

Jim Collins talks about getting the right people on the bus.  Wherever possible, we always seek to offer locals work and have 3 fantastic locals that work on a contract or casual basis with us already.  If I had their permission I would put them in the blog, though I will mention them when I have asked permission.

Finding people that get you, your values and your business is probably the most important thing you can do. Working with a good team on a win/win basis is fantastic. I was incredibly lucky last year to have the most amazing local working for me doing this job.  Sadly she left for the more lucrative shores of our our closest neighbour -Australia.  Working with the wonderful Ashtyn made me realise that not just trying to employ locals, employing the right local is key to the continued growth and success of our Glenorchy arm.  Equally, it has taken us too many turns, to learn the lesson of the devastation for everyone when you try and make a job work for someone, rather than find the right person that fits your values and the job description.  Our hospitable side has had us sometimes make bad employment decisions.  We have tried to 'help' by giving jobs to people that have wanted to work in the past at both Kinloch and at Glenorchy when we haven't had the right position for them.  Thanks Jim Collins - I totally hear you.  Your most valued asset is not the people it is 'the right people.'

We are able to get an endless string of fantastically qualified overseas travellers with one year work permits whom are able to work through our busy season, though part of all of our problems in Glenorchy is seasonality....  Watch this space, I am very sure the right person for the Trading Post is under our noses.  If you have interest in looking at the sort of person we are looking for in Glenorchy click on the link Glenorchy Trading Post Positions

-- 

Our life is a little different and perhaps that is why I thought I would start a blog, or maybe it is just to keep a record of those things that go on here so we can look back and celebrate that that we achieve and not beat oneself up for the things that don't quite get done.
Today is Sunday and I am at Kinloch as John has done my usual Sunday run with the kids of 160 km round trip to take the kids to swimming lessons on a Sunday at Alpine Aqualand in Frankton.  The reason I am not doing the run is due to not being able to swim with the kids after a small operation last week.  A small though extremely painful operation that still has me downing tramadol, voltaren and paracetamol on a regular basis.
This operation is hopefully the last needed as after three in a year, I have had enough of not having the possibility of boundless energy.
The date is 26 August, only 5 days till Spring.  My notebook with a massive list of things we need to do is still in the car in Frankton, though this week is going to need to be all about the restaurant and everything on our Qualmark list, prior to our inspection on 20 September.  Things are going well at Glenorchy Lake House and the Trading Post with the business finally getting to the point that with a good member of staff year round the business will be able to sustain itself without my day to day input.  This week I will advertise for that staff member.