Queenstown's town centre zone is at or near capacity and there is a pressing need for more commercially zoned land, a planning expert says.
Giving evidence at Queenstown Lakes District Council's plan change 50 hearing yesterday, John Kyle, from consultancy firm Mitchell Partnerships, said central Queenstown needed additional commercially zoned land.
''Failing to act now to address the capacity issues could result in adverse implications for the tourist industry as investment in tourist facilities and services slows, or goes elsewhere.''
His argument was backed up by an economics expert, Insight Economics managing director Fraser Colegrave, who said the success of the CBD was ultimately success for the district.
''Development provides more capacity for tourism and growth generally. Look at how strong the current CBD is. It is extremely robust in terms of square metres filled and employee statistics. That is set to grow fast, in particular with Chinese tourists - their spending is off the charts.''
The plan proposes an extension of the Queenstown town centre and a total of 14.8ha could be rezoned under the plan.
However, business owners Donald and Gillian McDonald remained unconvinced of any need to change the status quo. The husband and wife pair have been running Browns Boutique Hotel since 2008 and the rezoning of Isle St would directly affect their business.
''The current town centre should remain the small unique, vibrant, heart of the district with fabulous restaurants, bars, and small boutique shopping tucked neatly around Queenstown Bay.''
They believe there is still the opportunity in the current town centre to re-develop existing buildings and increase floor space.
''By increasing the size of the town centre, there is a real risk that existing businesses will be enticed to move to new proposed, fracturing the town centre and leaving empty buildings, shops and restaurants,'' they said.
The hearing continues tomorrow.
- by Louise Scott of Mountain Scene
