However, even more affordable housing tenancies for older people could be made available in Wānaka in the future.
The transfer of the nine units was subject to public submissions and a hearing, with a date yet to be confirmed.
The Wānaka units, on McDougall St, could eventually be replaced by a 12-unit housing development being planned by the not-for-profit trust, which owned a neighbouring empty section.
Cr Lyal Cocks, of Wānaka, did not want to let the good news stop there.
He unofficially announced, via a carefully worded question to council staff, that more council housing for Wānaka elderly was probably in the pipeline.
"In consultation, people might say, the council has other property in Wānaka, for example in Collins St or Tenby St?
"Will you be selling or transferring that land to the housing trust?
"Can you brief us on what the intention is for that other land?" Cr Cocks asked property team staff members Paul Carter and Tony Avery.
"Will there be an announcement that this other land could be looked at?" Cr Cocks asked.
"I think you have just done that." Mr Theelan said.
A hearings panel of councillors Niki Gladding, Matt Wong (both Queenstown-Wakatipu), and Lisa Guy (Arrowtown-Kawarau) was appointed to hear submissions and make recommendations about the transfer of the nine units to the trust.
The property staff said the Wānaka units could be easily transferred to the trust for $1.
However, the War Memorial Reserve status of the land underneath the Arrowtown units is more complicated and is being investigated.
In the meantime, the Arrowtown units and the land underneath them will be leased by the trust for a peppercorn rate for 20 years, allowing council staff to work on a subdivision so the units can be transferred to the trust.
Under the proposal, the trust would not be able to sell, transfer or alienate the land it is being given without the QLDC’s written consent.
