Consultation is set to start on proposed changes to the Residential Chapter of the Queenstown Lakes District Plan. 

“If you’ve been trying to rent or buy a property in this district recently you’ll know that it’s tough out there. There’s plenty of well documented evidence of a housing affordability problem in this District and multiple reasons for it,” QLDC District Plan Manager Matthew Paetz said. 

The District Plan Review and consultation on the Residential Chapter will provide an opportunity to make a positive contribution to this issue.

Some significant changes are proposed, including:

• Greater building height allowance in the High Density Zone.
• The introduction of a new Medium Density Zone in Queenstown, Arrowtown, and Wanaka to help provide more diverse and affordable housing options at a low scale – up to two storeys high.
• More flexibility for landowners in the Low Density Zone to develop properties in a low impact manner.

Cr Cath Gilmour, Portfolio Leader for Planning and Development, said: "Our double challenge is how to welcome more people to live here – affordably – while not swamping our landscape with a swathe of housing and costing a heap in infrastructure upgrades. We think the changes proposed in this review will help provide the flexibility we need.

"We are talking more density and more height in places that would have least impact on neighbours, while protecting the landscapes that drew many of us here. The old model of big suburban sections won't keep working.

"Councillors have had some robust discussions, with great advice from our staff, but we always gain broader perspectives and good ideas from public input, so we are really looking forward to that."

Mr Paetz said that Queenstown Lakes District had an increasingly diverse community and many people would need different housing options as they moved through life. The proposed changes would address housing costs and choice, and also help to minimise urban sprawl and protect the amazing landscapes.  

Public drop-in sessions are planned for Queenstown, Arrowtown and Wanaka during February. “If you’re affected or interested in any of the changes we’re proposing, make sure you come along. We can talk you through any issues or concerns you might have and help you better understand the proposals,” he said.

For those who can’t make it to a drop-in session, everything you need to make an informed submission is available here. Submissions can be made to the Council until Friday 6 March.  

 

Drop in session details: 

Wanaka:  14 February – Summit Room, Edgewater Resort, 10am-1pm.

Queenstown: 21 February – Council Chambers, Gorge Road, 10am-1pm.

Arrowtown: 28 February – Athenaeum Hall, Arrowtown, 10am-1pm.

 

There will be a second session in both Wanaka and Queenstown – the dates, times and places will publicised well in advance.