Consent applications to change residential use of a block
to visitor accommodation, sell liquor in the redesignated
block and set up a general store have been lodged by
Melview (Kawarau Falls Station) Development Ltd with the
Queenstown Lakes District Council this month. Photo by
James Beech.
Troubled $1 billion development Kawarau Falls Station
wants one of its buildings changed from residential use to
visitor accommodation and to set up a general store within the
building.
Melview (Kawarau Falls Station) Development Ltd (In
Receivership) applied for land use resource consent to change
the Lakeside West building, on the station property, from
residential use to visitor accommodation, this month.
Consequently, the company also sought consent to sell liquor
from a combined bar and restaurant, which would form part of
the visitor accommodation activity on the waterfront site.
The block named Lakeside West includes 42 fully-contained
units on four floors. Each unit consists of one or two
bedrooms with separate lounge and kitchen areas, and outdoor
living areas.
No alterations to the external appearance of Lakeside West,
or internal design and layout of the rooms were proposed. The
change of use would be consistent with the station's
character and would not adversely affect its neighbours, the
application stated.
"The bar and restaurant will add to the overall amenity of
the Kawarau Falls site by providing a centralised facility
for the use and enjoyment of visitors to the site," the
application stated.
"The effects of the sale of liquor will be contained
internally within the Kawarau Falls site and visitor
accommodation staff will control the sale of liquor ...
Accordingly, it is not considered necessary to limit the
hours of operation."
While the bar and restaurant is in both a covered and
uncovered deck southwest corner of Lakeside West, next to the
Wakatipu Steps, a site southeast of the building had been set
aside for a "general store/fresh foods" store, the
application added.
A second consent application by Melview (Kawarau Falls
Station) Development Ltd (In Receivership) explained the
proposed 120sq m store would be created for the convenience
of guests and residents, "and to a lesser extent, people
working there."
Liquor was proposed to be retailed. The ground floor shop
would be accessed by internal roads and footpaths and
serviced by a parking area which already had consent.
"As final tenants have not been confirmed, the final details
of proposed signage are not yet available," the application
stated.
"No signage is proposed on Peninsula Rd to advertise the
store existing within the Kawarau Falls site. Any signage
would be addressed in future applications, if required."
No additional earthworks were required and the applicant
described the creation of extra jobs at the retail store as a
"positive effect."
Up to six buildings have been constructed on stage one of the
development and are nearing completion.
Lakes Environmental received the application to change use on
September 8 and the application to establish a commercial
retail store on September 15. Both are being assessed.
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