Following nearly three years’ planning, consultation and community discussions, plans for the Shotover Country Zone have today (Friday Feb 12) been lodged with the Queenstown Lakes District Council.

The privately-initiated Plan Change proposes the creation of a family style residential neighbourhood on river terraces next door to the Lake Hayes Estate neighbourhood and close to existing communities at Frankton and Quail Rise.  

The site lies east of the Shotover River and south of Ladies Mile on flat sunny land that first housed the Lower Shotover township in 1860.

Once established, the neighbourhood will be the fruition of a long held vision by a group of neighbouring landowners to create residential sections at entry level prices in a desirable area.

Shotover Country Zone spokesman Neil McDonald says the landowners behind the plan change have long feared that the next generation will not be able to afford to enter the local housing market – particularly as most existing land zoned for residential development is in the upper price bracket.

“We believe the Lower Shotover area should be identified as being able to provide for community growth requirements.  It is Queenstown’s next logical location for entry level, reasonably priced family housing.

“Increasing density in this area by establishing neighbourhoods next to existing ones will create the critical mass needed to provide services and infrastructure such as a school for the wider area. Shotover Country is close to the existing and developing Frankton town centre area, and the planned network of trails and links connecting the various neighbourhoods and facilities will provide a desirable family lifestyle.”

The Plan Change details low density and medium density housing, an education and community precinct, an historic precinct, a dedicated ‘park and ride’ carparking area for use by locals and visitors to Queenstown, extensive links and trails and large tracts of open space.  

“The landowners believe they have widespread community support for this initiative,” says Mr McDonald. “We have spent two years consulting stakeholders and affected parties.  This consultation has been backed by extensive research and analysis of the site for its suitability.”

The main issue faced by the proponents of the plan change is the question of appropriate location for urban growth in the Wakatipu Basin – an important issue which is currently being debated by the Council and the community through a series of plan changes.

“We believe this location is ideal for urban growth.  Shotover Country will help address a number of planning issues, such as the difficulties for Lake Hayes Estate where children from this neighbourhood are sent to three different primary schools.

“The geological nature of the land is large terraced flats down to the river with picturesque wetlands on the lowest terrace.  The terraces provide flat areas that are inexpensive to build on, offer many natural outdoor amenities, and are not visible from the State Highway entrance into Queenstown. The area is already fully serviced with power, gas, telecommunications, water supply and road access and can be easily connected to the QLDC wastewater treatment facilities beside the Shotover River. Building a neighbourhood here will have minimal visual or landscape impact.”

Council will now assess the Plan Change application and decide on its suitability for notification.  

The landowners involved in the Plan Change are: Ruth and Russell Jones, Don and Heather Moffat, Grant and Sharyn Stalker, Terry and Bev McCashin and Joe and Lu Bagrie.

ENDS

For further information please contact Neil McDonald on (027) 434-5902 or nmcdonald@cfma.co.nz

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