Submissions raise concerns with Kingston plan change

Concerns over changes to the golf course, Kent St, State Highway 6 and infrastructure were raised in the 11 public submissions on the future growth of Kingston.

Up to three submissions were in support, four in partial support, two in opposition and two other submissions were received regarding Plan Change 25, the Queenstown Lakes District Council's strategy committee heard this month.

The Otago Regional Council was in general support of the plan change, particularly the stormwater management, the need for further investigations of the area for effluent disposal and to make sure the street layout did not exclude public transport.

One submitter was concerned connections between the existing village and the plan change area should not occur until Kent St was upgraded to a collector road standard.

Two submitters were in opposition to changes to fairways seven and eight on the golf course, which would occur as a result of the proposed alignment of the extension of Huntingdon St into the plan change area.

They requested the paper road Devon St, now used as part of the golf course, be formally closed.

Two submitters opposed the plan change outright.

One submitter questioned the need for the plan change and was opposed to the exchange of reserve land for golf course land to enable the extension of Huntingdon St, objected to part of the golf course being identified for residential activity, opposed the smaller section sizes proposed by the plan change, and opposed closing Devon St and including in the golf course.

The New Zealand Transport Agency opposed the plan change, reasoning it was likely to have significant adverse effects on State Highway 6 between Kingston and Queenstown.

The plan change did not consider the state highway as a physical resource that needed to be managed sustainably.

Two submissions did not state either support or opposition but requested the consideration of specific matters as part of the plan change process.

The New Zealand Fire Service sought to ensure there was an adequate water supply in the rezoned area and that reference be made to the importance of sprinklers in the plan change area for residential and commercial developments.

Public Health South made infrastructure recommendations around the headings of activity-lifestyle, road traffic injuries, respiratory and cardiovascular health, safety-danger, sun protection, mental health and wellbeing, health impact assessment, and water and wastewater.

The strategy committee received the report on April 17.

Public submissions on the 11 submissions already received are open until May 8, and the council will convene a hearing later in the year.