An environment court judge has criticised the Queenstown Lakes District Council for wasting time in a case with Remarkables Park Ltd that lasted more than 10 years.
Judge Jon Jackson last week ruled that the council pay Remarkables Park $53,000 for an application for costs that first came before the court in 1998.
Remarkables Park director Alistair Porter yesterday said he would not be seeking any more money from the court.
"The Environment Court awarded us what they could have, and we will absolutely not be seeking any further money, because we we do not want more impact for Queenstown ratepayers," he said.
In 1998, Remarkables Park objected to the amount of money relating to property developers' financial contributions for infrastructure under the proposed council plan.
Judge Jackson criticised the council, saying in his ruling that it conducted its case in an obstinate and unhelpful manner, and ignored suggested alternatives from the court about the approach it was taking in proceedings.
Proceedings were tied up by more than seven prehearing conferences. Eight more were adjourned, and four procedural decisions were given.
The council and Remarkables Park avoided further drawing out proceedings by reaching a settlement.
On November 12, an Environment Court decision was issued directing the council to make its plan fully operative.
The council had now done so.
The $52,000 to be paid to Remarkables Park is about two-thirds of $160, 627 the company was seeking for legal and consultant fees incurred in proceedings.
More than $500,000 had been spent since 1995 by the company on the reference Mr Porter estimated.
"We made a big effort to sort this out with council from 1995 to 1998, before the appeal was lodged," he said.
"Council must make clear to developers this town is pro-business. There is no winner in this type of litigation, and council should think carefully before embarking on it."
Queenstown Mayor Clive Geddes said he would not comment on the criticisms levelled by Judge Jackson before the council had reviewed the decision.