Queenstown’s ski areas, housing, mining and golf get government boost
Tuesday, 8 October 2024
A large number of Queenstown projects approved for fast-tracking could lead to more than 5000 new homes, three schools, three massive ski area developments and a new golf course resort.
The $4.4 billion Santana gold mine at nearby Bendigo also made it on to the list of 149 projects included in the Government’s one-stop-shop Fast Track Approvals Bill.
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones said if the Bill was passed, the developers would be able to apply to the Environmental Protection Authority to have an expert panel assess the project and apply relevant conditions.
The exact process and level of public engagement and ability to appeal decisions is not known.
The majority of the 15 projects the government listed in Otago are in the Queenstown area, including three involving ski areas.
NZSki’s project to upgrade the Remarkables existing infrastructure and expand the existing Remarkables Ski Area into the adjacent Doolans Basin was included as well as on-mountain visitor accommodation, guest facilities and workers accommodation at Cardrona.
Plans for a gondola to access the Cardrona and Soho ski areas, and another to Coronet Peak are included.
NZSki chief executive Paul Anderson said the proposals were exciting for the region.
“Hopefully we’ll have a couple of ski areas with multiple valleys, like some of the European areas. It will be awesome.
“The demand for skiing and recreational facilities is growing and we need to get bigger if we want to continue meeting demand from locals and visitors.”
An original plan for a 230-metre tunnel through the Remarkables mountain range to access the Doolans was not included in the NZSki application, he said.
Instead the company was looking at installing a new gondola from between the Sugar Bowl and Curvey Basin lifts into the new territory.
A large expansion of the existing base building and a new level on top of the existing main car park were included.
At Coronet Peak the company was working with Rod Drury and Coronet Village on a new access gondola, a potential new restaurant and a mountain bike hub.
The proposed Coronet Village development also included 780 residential units, a boarding high school, and a primary school directly below the Coronet Peak ski area.
The plan has already raised the ire of local residents who have established the Malaghan’s Valley Protection Society, following concerns at being locked out of the decision making process.
Other listed developments include RCL Homestead Bay Limited’s residential development of 2800 units next to Jacks Point and its own 1700-section development at nearby Hanley’s Farm.
The Silver Creek project wants 1050 dwelling units across a 32-hectare site overlooking central Queenstown. There are already about 700 consented units at the site.
The Flint’s Park development will add 501 dwellings to a 370-lot subdivision approved under earlier fast track legislation that was intended to boost the economy during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The subdivision will be on the Ladies Mile, on the outskirts of Queenstown, and include a mixed-use centre and an automated cable way to access some residential development.
The Gibbston Village project is a proposed residential and commercial development project, to include 900 units, a 2.4-hectare commercial area and a primary school for about 350 students.
Sir Michael Hill’s plans to operate a golf resort, build an 18-hole championship course, and develop facilities, including visitor accommodation, staff accommodation and residential activities at The Hills have been listed.
Santana Minerals Ltd’s plans to establish and operate an open pit and underground gold mine on Bendigo and Ardgour Stations in Central Otago have been included.
Meanwhile, Oceana Gold’s planned expansion of mining operations at Macraes Flat, in east Otago, also made the list.
In Wānaka the Mt Iron Junction Housing Scheme project proposing 263 high density units was approved for the fast-track list.
The developer of a proposed $300 million hospital and privately-funded Wānaka health precinct had applied to be on the fast-track schedule also, but was not listed as successful.
Queenstown Lakes District Mayor Glyn Lewers said there were many unanswered questions.
The council was waiting to find out the level of engagement the expert panel would have with councils particularly around infrastructure issues such as water, storm water and transport, and understanding strategy and planned areas for development.
“Once they get their consents the administration and monitoring falls to council. How will that be funded?” he said.
“There’s a fair few questions that haven’t been answered. It’s a bit of a hurry up and wait.”
Forest and Bird Otago and Southland conservation manager Chelsea McGaw was particularly concerned about the Remarkables ski area development and Bendigo gold mine.
Key concerns at the Remarkables included creeping development and the potential loss of biodiversity, while the large-scale open pit gold mine proposed at Bendigo would affect several nationally critical or endangered plants and animals.
Anderson said it would be good to deal with a one-stop shop in the Environmental Protection Agency.
Previously developments have required consents from several agencies including the district council, regional council, Department of Conservation and LINZ.
He was unaware how much public involvement there would be, but he did not consider that a problem.
“I’ve always said we won’t go into the Doolans without community and iwi backing. It’s a really challenging project and we don’t want to be in opposition to people,” he said.