22 November 2012
Lakeview Update
A call for expressions of interest regarding a council-owned 4 hectare parcel of prime Queenstown real estate has been
narrowed down to further discussions with two parties over a portion of the site, Queenstown Lakes District Council
finance general manager and deputy chief executive Stewart Burns said.
After a public process, which included testing a brief with the community for the development of the Lakeview site, next
to the Holiday Park, the Council received seven expressions of interest.
“We are extremely grateful for the work, effort and vision that went into those proposals, however there were two
proposals that came closest to fulfilling the objectives for part of the Lakeview site, that we want to enter into
further discussions with,’ Mr Burns said.
Council has confirmed Ngai Tahu Tourism (NTT) and the Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust (QLCHT) as the preferred
participants.
“At this stage we can confirm that the trust is looking at developing a portion of the site for community housing, while
for commercial reasons Ngai Tahu has asked that its proposal - which would also take up only a portion of the site -
continues to be in confidence. We are still some way off entering into any kind of agreement with either party,” Mr
Burns said.
Ngai Tahu Tourism was excited to be the position to further discuss the business concept, with the Council, NTT regional
general manager - southern David Kennedy said.
“We acknowledge that there is still a lengthy process to be gone through to determine the best and most feasible uses
for the site and for the community beyond 2015,” he said.
NTT was looking forward to starting that process and to reaching a point when it could share its proposal with the
community.
QLCHT chairman David Cole said the Trust was delighted to work with Council to develop a concept for a long term housing
solution on the site.
“Its close proximity to town makes it an ideal residential location for the many key workers vital to the functioning of
Queenstown,” Mr Cole said.
The majority of the site would remain undeveloped at this time and would be reconsidered at a future time when market
conditions were more favourable, Mr Burns said.
“Proceeding with discussions on the two proposals allows Council to sort out how it will finalise the structure plan
that makes cohesive use of the whole site,” Mr Burns said.
The objectives for the Lakeview site are:
a) A high quality, predominantly residential community, consistent with Council strategies:
•A development that is both physically and socially integrated into the existing and future built and natural
environments;
•A safe public environment (both public streets and parks) that encourages residents to interact socially and take pride
in their community;
•High quality development that ‘positively’ addresses the public environment and delivers high levels of private amenity;
•A natural and built form outcome that enhances Queenstown’s unique “local identity”;
•A development that is high-quality, high-density residential, including community housing, with the option for
visitor-serving uses.
b) A substantial long-term financial return to the community to be used for other community projects, achieved through
Council’s on-going ownership of the site.
ENDS