Next step towards community offices hub
Queenstown’s council is offering a peppercorn rent on 1.18ha of land to help get a community hub off the ground.
Whakatipu Community Hub Charitable Trust (WCHCT) wants to build the facility on land at the north-eastern edge of the Queenstown Events Centre, next to The Crown pub, behind Countdown.
It will provide affordable office rental and co-working spaces for the town’s community organisations.
Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) is asking for community feedback on a proposed lease. It would be for 35 years, with annual ground rental set at $1 per annum plus GST, and reviewed in accordance with QLDC’s Community Facility Funding Policy.
QLDC Property Director, Quintin Howard says the council identified excess land within its Queenstown Events Centre masterplan. WCHCT has submitted an expression of interest.
“We understand the Trust has identified a real difficulty faced by community organisations in securing affordable and suitable long-term office rental and co-working spaces,” Howard says.
“Their proposal aims to provide a modern facility where a range of different agencies and charities can collaborate, and they’ll use this space to meet with and support those in need.”
Howard is encouraging the community to read through what the Whakatipu Community Hub Charitable Trust intended to do with the land, and to let the council know if they thought those activities were appropriate for the site.
It’s permitted under the district plan.
“Following public feedback, the potential ground lease will go before Full Council for a decision in March 2023,” Howard says.
More information about the proposed ground lease and a feedback form are available at on the council’s consultation website until Sunday 15 January 2023.
