The Environment Court has ordered a Marlborough vineyard to pay for its neighbours to stay in a motel every night there is a 50% chance its anti-frost fans will need to be used.
The fans at the Waihopai Valley vineyard are sited only 100 metres from the Hyson family's home and have already been used three nights this week.
Michael Hyson says the Environment Court decision is good, but it does not really help as it is disruptive to move the family out of their home for a night.
He would prefer that helicopters were used to fight the frost as they are quieter than the fans and wants the district council to change the rules to prevent constant fan use.
