Minister's big tick for Ladies Mile
Plans to rezone Queenstown land for 2,400 new homes have been approved by the Minister for the Environment.
Penny Simmonds has signed off on the Queenstown Lakes District Council’s Ladies Mile rezoning, which means developers can start progressing plans from 6 December.
The new zone, on the flat land stretching from the Shotover Bridge to Lake Hayes, will be higher density development than other zones across Queenstown Lakes.
Developers will have to build to a minimum density of 40 units per net hectare over the zone, as Queenstown looks to tackle its unaffordable housing crisis by using land more efficiently.
That means lots of apartment blocks and townhouses, rather than the section-by-section sell-offs for homes and gardens seen at nearby Shotover Country, Lake Hayes Estate, and, most recently Hanley's Farm.
There'll also be open spaces and community facilities on Ladies Mile, along with a new commercial centre, and public transport / active travel infrastructure.
Councillor Lyal Cocks, chair of the planning & strategy committee, welcomed the Minister's approval.
"Housing continues to be one of the biggest challenges faced in the district, and Te Pūtahi Ladies Mile Variation ensures more land is available to be developed sustainably to accommodate increased density and more affordable housing options for our current and future residents," he says.
He acknowledged the "huge endeavour" by all involved, including the public, to rezone the land.
"I’m looking forward to seeing development commence, with the necessary infrastructure being provided and traffic conditions addressed.”
Transport and traffic, particularly over the congested Shotover Bridge, was a major concern of residents during the rezoning process. During the panel held hearings in November and December, after 125 submitters raised over 1,003 submission points.
Council planning & development general manager David Wallace says the zoning includes provisions to ensure development in the area is integrated with transport infrastructure.
"As and when development occurs, we’ll be looking at elements like upgraded and signalised intersections, bus lanes, and active travel links to provide public transport and safe cycling and pedestrians options to ensure future housing in the area can be effectively serviced by the infrastructure available,” Wallace says.
"The new zone will also have strong requirements for the treatment of stormwater.”
Wallace says there's still significant work to do by both council staff and landowners in the area to ensure development meets the purpose and requirements of the zone.
Developments will need to fall within the timeframes for infrastructure upgrades identified in the council's long term plan 2024-34, or the upgrades will need to be funded by the developers themselves.
The first major subdivision on the northern side of Ladies Mile already has the planning green light, through COVID-19 Recovery Fast-Track consenting.
Glenpanel Development plan around 370 homes on the 15.6 hectares of land beneath Slope Hill, opposite Queenstown Country Club, They will include duplexes, terraces, apartments and potentially some standalone housing.
