Winery plans to triple production

Mt Difficulty Wines Ltd wants to triple its wine production in the next two years from 400 tonnes to 1200 tonnes.

The Bannockburn winery has applied to the Central Otago District Council for land use consent to increase its processing area and build a new vintage cellar and barrel store.

The company wants to carry out earthworks and to exceed the district plan height rule.

It also applied for a change to conditions of its existing resource consent to construct and operate a winery building and tasting, sales and administration area and to upgrade its effluent disposal system.

Kate Scott, of BTW South Ltd, on behalf of the winery explained the plans to the council hearings panel in Alexandra yesterday.

A report to the panel by council planning consultant David Whitney recommended the application be granted with 20 conditions.

Ms Scott said the winery agreed with all except one condition regarding the timeline for a boundary adjustment.

She said the total earthworks had been reduced from a total volume of 7080 cubic metres to 4000 cubic metres since the application was lodged.

The panel reserved its decision for 15 days.

Meanwhile, the hearings panel reserved its decisions on six other applications.

Among them, Old Cromwell Inc applied to build modern representations of historic buildings in Old Cromwell historic precinct.

Mr Whitney recommended the consent be granted with 18 conditions.

Ian Day, of Alexandra, applied for land use consent to establish a rural lifestyle servicing and supplies centre, offices and carparking in a rural resource area on Airport Rd.

Mr Whitney recommended consent for this be declined.