The battle over billionaire Peter Thiel's plans to build a 330m-long luxury lodge overlooking Lake Wānaka is far from over, according to the secretary of the Upper Clutha Environmental Society.
Julian Haworth told RNZ's Nights that neither Thiel nor his company, Second Star, has withdrawn their application.
"In my opinion, the articles in the mainstream media are pure speculation. The fact that Second Star, which is Peter Thiel's company, did not appeal the Environment Court decision does not mean they have abandoned their plans to develop the site.
"There has been no statement from Mr. Thiel himself, or from his legal team, indicating that they have given up on their attempt to develop the site."
Thiel's plan was to build the enormous lodge on the edge of Lake Wānaka
Nouvelle-Zelande, 7 kilometers from the town.
The proposed development was first presented to the council, which rejected the plans. Thiel's company appealed, and the case ended up in the Environment Court, Haworth said.