Residents lose fight to block tourism venture

By STACEY BODGER

TAUPO - A year-long battle between a group of Taupo residents and an adventure tourism operator has ended with the district council approving a zone within a recreational reserve for adventure activities.

Peach Grove residents, in a valley beside the Waikato River, had opposed an application by Taupo Bungy to extend its existing operation within the Riverbank Recreation Reserve, by Spa Rd.

Taupo Bungy planned to build a giant swing, flying fox, two buildings and a cafe but residents said they were already enduring disruption to their peaceful valley from bungy-jump activities and further development would spoil the area.

Last August, the Taupo District Council amended the draft management plan for the reserve, designating it an adventure tourism area. It had called for public submissions on the issue.

It has now adopted the draft strategy in the finalised management plan for the reserve, effectively creating a zone within the reserve in which commercial tourism activities will be permitted.

The Department of Conservation and Peach Grove residents wanted separate management plans to be drawn up for the reserve and the area the Taupo Bungy expansion would affect.

But the council's community services manager, Marilyn Collins, said it was not necessary because Taupo Bungy still had to apply for resource consent over its proposed expansions.

Marilyn Collins said the council would not automatically grant blanket approval for any adventure activities.

Glenis Gentil, a spokeswoman for Peach Grove residents, said the group was disappointed that the adventure expansion was likely to go ahead because it would change the nature of the reserve.

However, she was satisfied that resource consents were needed for extra activities.

Taupo Bungy managing director Alastair Macdonald said the resolution had come after a prolonged and expensive legal process.

"But it's a huge bonus for Taupo tourism and we now know there is sufficient support for our ventures."