Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Developer told to show hotel height with balloon

Updated at 6:59 am on 23 January 2013

The developer of a 28-storey luxury hotel planned for Dunedin's waterfront has been told to demonstrate its height using a helium balloon.

The request has been made by the panel considering resource consents for the controversial 96-metre tower at Steamer Basin, following seven days of public hearings before Christmas.

The panel has written to developer Betterways Advisory saying it needs more information in order to assess the effect of the building on the city's landscape.

Its chair, Colin Weatherall, says the height could be demonstrated using a helium balloon on a string on a calm day or by some other method.

The letter also requests nine photo montages showing impressions of the hotel from city lookouts, and reports on its environmental and wind effects.

Betterways Advisory says it is considering the requests but is frustrated by the extra cost and delays to the project.

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