A family who own an old Kinloch crib, which features in a soon-to-be-released Brad Pitt movie, has won support to keep the 87-year-old “absolutely iconic” structure.
Submissions have closed on the application from a family to continue its lease on the land and crib at Kinloch at the top of Lake Wakatipu.
The crib, which is 75sq m, has not changed hands since it was built 87 years ago, and has come to the end of its 30-year concession from the Department of Conservation.
The family, who are all descendants of the man who built the crib, Roy Elliot, said it was “profoundly concerned” about Doc’s decision not to continue the lease on the crib.
The crib has been in the same place since 1938, is not used as a commercial operation, is not accessible by road and is too brittle to be moved.
Thirty-five submissions were received, all in support of the family being allowed to continue the lease.
Submitter Barry Adams said the families had built and maintained the crib for 87 years. Having observed the area on either side, he believed the families were doing a very good job of keeping it clear of noxious weeds.
He questioned the abilities of Doc to keep the crib in good shape.
“Why would I want Doc to destroy a well-maintained building and have it revert to the disgusting state that can be observed surrounding its boundary?” he said.
Phillip Marshall said his family had been holidaying in the area since the early 1960s, and said the crib and beach had always been part of the head of the lake environment.
“The private maintenance and occupation of the crib by applicants and their immediate families has produced a considerable public benefit,” he said.
“It is absolutely iconic in terms of the NZ crib culture, which is rapidly disappearing in the alpine parts of Otago.
“This is in contrast to the development surrounding Glenorchy, which while generally well designed, is accessible only to the extremely wealthy, with many of these people being based overseas.”
Andrew Marshall, who has holidayed in Kinloch for more than 60 years, said the crib was in an idyllic setting.
He said he had often sat on the bottom step of the crib, which had 1938 inscribed in it — the year it was built — and it showed the contrast between the setting of the crib and the outbreak of war a year later.
The family had a deep care, respect and long-standing commitment to the land, submitter Katrina Curtis said. She had no doubt this would continue should the application be granted.
Jim Bryant said he was a descendant of one of the original settlers in Kinloch and the crib was part of the history of the area.
He understood Doc had a duty of care to manage areas for all people, but the history of the area should be taken into account. If it was not renewed the history would be lost forever.
The great granddaughter of Roy Elliot, Sydney Evans-Tobata, said the crib was extremely special as a sanctuary for her and her three sisters.
The family had respected Doc’s restrictions and the surrounding area.
“Losing the crib would mean losing a physical link to generations who have cared for and loved this land, something that could not be replaced.” she said.
The crib was used in the Brad Pitt movie Heart of the Beast, which is due to be released next year.
No hearing will be held and Doc will begin drafting a decision report next year. No date has been set for the decision to be released.