Media Release
1.12.2016
‘Eagle’-eyed property developers urged to ‘chip in’ for golf course block of sections
The biggest single remaining block of privately-owned residential development land overlooking swanky Millbrook Golf
Course in the Central Otago township of Arrowtown has been placed on the market for sale.
The 9.2 hectare plot facing the second and third fairways has been consented for subdivision into four building
allotments which will dwarf their neighbouring properties – most of which are sized around a standard 750 square metres
configuration.
The land in Malaghans Road was bought in the early 1980s by a Queenstown family long before Millbrook Golf course was
landscaped. As a result of the private ownership, the block is not subject to the building design constraints applicable
to homes subsequently developed as part of the resort – which is independently administered by Millbrook Country Club
Limited.
Millbrook Golf Course opened in 1992. Homes built around the course over the ensuing decades must comply with strict
design covenants stipulated in the Millbrook Structure Plan. Those regulated covenants encompass such rules as dwelling
height, size, building materials, construction methods and vegetation plantings.
Anyone hoping to have a home built on bought from Millbrook Country Club Limited must submit their architect’s plans for
approval by the company’s ‘design review panel’.
However, the freehold Malaghans Road block of land is being marketed for sale by deadline sale through BayleysLocations,
with offers closing on December 14. The land is zoned ‘rural general’ and has four consented building allotments –
potentially with 7.7 hectares of residual development land.
BayleysLocations director Stacy Coburn expected the lack of building and construction encumbrances over-arching the four
site block would allow for a greater degree of architectural freedom.
“Golfers would have to ‘drive’ a ‘fairway’ to find anything else like this in the region,” he joked. “Home owners will
be able to watch the birds in the surrounding trees – and the birdies on the surrounding greens.”
Mr Coburn said building platforms on each of the sections were positioned some 40 metres back from the Millbrook
fairways – creating a substantial ‘front lawn’ buffer zone to avoid stray tee shots launched by wayward golfers.
“The homes will be outside the driving distance of most golfers… except for the likes of Tiger Woods and Bubba Watson –
and those guys don’t stray off the fairway,” he said.
Mr Coburn said it was difficult to place a value on the land because of its uniqueness and the various development
options it could sustain.
“There’s nothing like it anywhere else around Millbrook because of its positioning, and the size,” he said.
“And while the homes on the Malaghans Road block will have unobstructed vistas over the golf course fairways from their
front aspects, they will also have unhindered views of a cricket pitch sized grassed bowl at the rear.
“A rocky knoll on the other side of the bowl is not only the most amazing naturally-formed children’s adventure
playground you could ask for, but also acts as an audio-visual buffer from Malaghans Road.”
Mr Coburn said the boutique nature of the four property enclave could easily be transformed into an exclusive gated
community.