A zoning change for Kingston has opened the township for extensive growth.
The Queenstown Lakes District Council ratified plan change 25 for Kingston at a council meeting yesterday.
This changes an area of 88ha from a rural to "special" zone, which effectively extends the boundaries of the Kingston township.
QLDC senior policy analyst Ralph Henderson said the purpose of the change was to ensure growth met current and future needs, and was located in the right places.
The plan allows for residential areas of varying density, industrial areas, open spaces, community facilities and an "education precinct" for a future school.
When the plan change was initiated, Kingston had around 200 dwellings, with capacity for a further 100 houses within the existing township zone.
The rezoning makes room for an additional 500-700 dwellings.
The amended plan also takes infrastructure such as water, wastewater, road network and transport into account.
The change has been in the pipeline since December 2006 as a joint venture between the council and developer Kingston Village Ltd.
The developer is to meet the cost of the plan change.
Public consultation was carried out between December 2008 and February 2009.
Submissions could be sent in until May, and a hearing was held in September.
Eleven submissions were received, with three in support, four in partial support, two in opposition and two neutral.
Some of the concerns related to the golf course, which will remain under the ratified plan change.
The New Zealand Transport Agency opposed the change, stating the plan did not consider the sustainable management of State Highway 6.
The fire service had drawn attention to the need for adequate water supply in the rezoned areas.
Some local residents had questioned the need for a plan change, expressing concern the change was driven by the developer's objectives, rather than actual needs.
At the council meeting, Cr Cath Gilmour applauded both council staff and the local community for the plan change process.
"The concerns have been well accommodated, and every step of the way, communication has been good," she said.
Mayor Clive Geddes was also happy with the outcome.
"This is a bit of good news for the Kingston community - which they have not had a lot of lately," he said.
The report to the council on the plan change also contained the first draft of design guidelines for the Kingston Village.
These are meant as suggestions rather than hard-and-fast rules.
At the hearing in September, Kingston Village Ltd partner Ian Pillans said he wanted to build on the identity of Kingston and not create a satellite of Queenstown.