Bullock Creek run-off reaction upsets

Fish and Game say they are disappointed a Wanaka developer has been let off with just a warning after sediment was washed into a sensitive area of Bullock Creek.

Orchard Road Holdings, owned by developer Allan Dippie, has been given a warning by the Queenstown Lakes District Council after stormwater from a subdivision went into the creek.

Fish and Game made a complaint to both the district council and the Otago Regional Council about the run-off.

An investigation by the district council found sediment-laden stormwater had left the Alpha Series subdivision, owned by Mr Dippie, and had flowed into the creek after about 60mm of rain fell on October 12.

Council consents team leader Quinn McIntyre said enforcement action was not considered necessary but the council gave a stern warning that enforcement action or a fine would occur if it happened again.

The developer's co-operation and quick action once it was aware of the run-off was taken into consideration, Mr McIntyre said.

Mr Dippie acknowledged the incident occurred but said the council had complimented rather than criticised his contractors on their quick reaction to the situation.

There were many sources of stormwater run-off into the creek during the heavy rain and stormwater from his subdivision was just one.

''It seems Fish and Game have got their noses out of joint at the council and have instead come after us,'' he said.

If both parties got together to talk about the issue it would be a better outcome for everyone involved, Mr Dippie said.

Otago Fish and Game operations manager Ian Hadland said because the head of Bullock Creek was an environmentally sensitive area it was disappointing the company had only been given a warning

Mr Hadland said Fish and Game staff had meet Mr Dippie before work started on the subdivision, but it had no authority over the matter. He disputed Mr Dippie's claim there were many cases of run-off into the creek.

A spokesman for the Otago Regional Council said an investigation into the incident was still ongoing so the council could not comment at this time.