On the fast track
Nine Queenstown Lakes projects have been selected for the Government's new fast-track development pathway.
They include NZSki's project to expand The Remarkables into the neighbouring Doolans basin; Coronet Village Ltd's plans for a gondola and housing off Malaghans Rd; and Hanley's Farm developer RCL's plans for a further 2800 sections in Homestead Bay.
Silver Creek Queenstown is also on the list. It plans to create a 1050-lot subdivision on the southern side of Queenstown Hill, above Frankton Rd. And the redevelopment of The Hills golf resort has also been selected, along with other projects. Altogether they will potentially see around 6000 homes built in the district.
Minister for Infrastructure Chris Bishop announced on Sunday that 149 projects across New Zealand that have been selected for Fast-track Approvals Bill.
"These projects will help rebuild the economy, fix our housing crisis, improve energy security and address our infrastructure deficit," Bishop says.
"They are the first cabs off the rank in our unapologetic drive to grow this economy for the benefit of all New Zealanders."
The list includes 44 housing developments, enabling up to 55,000 homes, 43 infrastructure projects, seven aquaculture and farming projects, 22 renewable energy projects and 11 mining projects, including Santana Minerals Limited's $4.4 billion Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project near Cromwell.
"Houses, roads, ports, renewables, quarries and mines are all fundamental requirements for our economy to thrive. Some may not like it, but there is no doubt we need all of them," Bishop says.
"For too long, our country has been held back by red and green tape, stifling economic development for too long. Obstruction has got in the way of growth. Fast Track is all about getting New Zealand moving."
Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop
Once the Bill is passed, likely by the end of the year, the 149 projects listed will be able to apply to the Environmental Protection Authority to have an expert panel assess their projects and apply relevant conditions.
There are 15 projects in the Otago region, including the nine in Queenstown Lakes.
NZSki boss Paul Anderson welcomed the news, although says it doesn't mean the Doolans project is guaranteed to happen.
"It gives us an option to progress. We've been pretty upfront about our intentions, that we'd like to expand into this area, if it makes sense. The feedback we've had from the community has been really encouraging so far. We'll continue to engage with the community, with iwi and any other stakeholders to make sure it is something that works for everyone."
Anderson had previously highlighted the amount of time it took to get the $23m Shadow Basin chairlift replacement approved. Forest & Bird, Ngāi Tahu and Queenstown Climbing Club all submitted objections but the Department of Conservation granted consent subject to conditions.
The final fast-track process has yet to be confirmed, but the Coalition Government's intention is that strips away some of the red tape.
Anderson says NZSki, which also a partner in the Coronet Peak Village project, will still be required to submit all the same paperwork but to the Environmental Protection Agency "rather than to what feels sometimes like disparate agencies who don't coordinate with each other".
Labour meanwhile has slammed the whole Fast-track Approvals Bill, with acting environment spokesperson David Parker saying the list includes projects "that could wreak havoc on our natural environment," including seabed mining.
"Environmental protections under the Resource Management Act, the Conservation Act, the Wildlife Act and the Mining Act can and will be overridden," Parker says.
Queenstown Lakes projects
RCL Homestead Bay Limited - Homestead Bay
The Homestead Bay project is a residential development of 2800 residential units, subdivision, and development at the southern end of Queenstown.
NZSki Limited - Remarkables Ski Area Upgrade and Doolans
The project is to upgrade the Remarkables existing infrastructure and expand the existing Remarkables Ski Area into the adjacent Doolans Basin in Otago.
Town Planning Group - Silver Creek
The Silver Creek project is to provide for residential development and subdivision enabling approximately 1,050 dwelling units across a 32 hectare of urban land zoned for development.
Blackmans Creek Holdings Limited No.1 LP - Cardrona Valley Ski Gondola and Ski Area Development
The project is to establish on-mountain visitor accommodation, guest facilities and workers accommodation, and to establish and operate a high-speed electric passenger lift system to provide an access link from the Cardrona Valley to the Cardrona and Soho ski areas.
Coronet Village Limited (on behalf of 0to60 Properties / Rod Drury, NZSki Limited, Coronet Peak Partnership) - Coronet Village
A new alpine village immediately below Coronet Peak, with a new gondola providing access up to ski field, new ski area development, and supporting infrastructure. Includes a new transport hub, mountain bike facility, restaurant at the summit, boarding high school, primary school, 780-unit subdivision, roading and wastewater infrastructure.
Mt Iron Junction Limited - Mt Iron Junction Housing Scheme
The Mt Iron Junction Housing Scheme project is a housing project in Wanaka proposing to establish 263 high density units.
Town Planning Group - Gibbston Village
The Gibbston Village project is a residential and commercial development project, including 900-dwelling units, a 2.4-hectare commercial area for day-to-day amenities, provision for a 3 hectare primary school for about 350 students and associated infrastructure.
Tory Hill Trust - Flint’s Park Urban Intensification
The project includes the construction of 501 residential dwellings in a residential neighbourhood, around the existing heritage building that will contain a Neighbourhood Mixed-Use Centre and an automated cable way to access residential development of the lower slopes of Slope Hill.
The Hills Residences Limited and The Hills Holdings Limited - The Hills Resort Development
The project is to construct and operate a golf resort, a 18-hole championship course, and construction of resort facilities, including visitor accommodation, staff accommodation and residential activities.
