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Lakeview update

Thursday 22 November 2012, 2:52PM

By Queenstown Lakes District Council

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QUEENSTOWN

A call for expressions of interest regarding a council-owned 4 hectare parcel of prime Queenstown real estate has been narrowed down to further discussions with two parties over a portion of the site, Queenstown Lakes District Council finance general manager and deputy chief executive Stewart Burns said.

After a public process, which included testing a brief with the community for the development of the Lakeview site, next to the Holiday Park, the Council received seven expressions of interest.

“We are extremely grateful for the work, effort and vision that went into those proposals, however there were two proposals that came closest to fulfilling the objectives for part of the Lakeview site, that we want to enter into further discussions with,’ Mr Burns said.

Council has confirmed Ngai Tahu Tourism (NTT) and the Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust (QLCHT) as the preferred participants.

“At this stage we can confirm that the trust is looking at developing a portion of the site for community housing, while for commercial reasons Ngai Tahu has asked that its proposal - which would also take up only a portion of the site - continues to be in confidence. We are still some way off entering into any kind of agreement with either party,” Mr Burns said.

Ngai Tahu Tourism was excited to be the position to further discuss the business concept, with the Council, NTT regional general manager - southern David Kennedy said.

“We acknowledge that there is still a lengthy process to be gone through to determine the best and most feasible uses for the site and for the community beyond 2015,” he said.

NTT was looking forward to starting that process and to reaching a point when it could share its proposal with the community.

QLCHT chairman David Cole said the Trust was delighted to work with Council to develop a concept for a long term housing solution on the site.

“Its close proximity to town makes it an ideal residential location for the many key workers vital to the functioning of Queenstown,” Mr Cole said.

The majority of the site would remain undeveloped at this time and would be reconsidered at a future time when market conditions were more favourable, Mr Burns said.

“Proceeding with discussions on the two proposals allows Council to sort out how it will finalise the structure plan that makes cohesive use of the whole site,” Mr Burns said.