Five Mile retail complex proposal. Graphic supplied.
A deal to put a sports shelter on the border of
Queenstown's failed Five Mile development is not a sweetener to
ensure a new $125 million, 38,000sq m retail complex at the
Frankton Flats site gets approval, outgoing Queenstown Lakes
Mayor Clive Geddes says.
The deal between Auckland-based complex developer Tony Gapes,
the Queenstown Lakes District Council and Lakes Leisure to
build an amenity-free shelter on the border between the
complex and adjacent sports fields was a "kind" offer that
could reap benefits for the community, he said.
The shelter was a landscaping measure aimed at minimising the
aesthetic effects on the neighbouring sportsfields, with the
possibility the shelter could eventually become a proper
sports facility with changing sheds and showers.
There was a "clear separation" between Lakes Environmental
and the council over the issue of resource consents, he said.
News of the proposed development would come as relief to
Queenstown residents after a consent application for stage
one of the project was lodged with Lakes Environmental this
week.
"I think the community has been really concerned - and a
little bit embarrassed - and I think everyone will be very,
very happy to see it all tidied up with a development that is
allowed by the zoning to go up on that site," Mr Geddes said.
Project planning consultant John Edmonds said Mr Gapes wanted
to start the project "as soon as possible". He confirmed a
bulk retail precinct was planned, featuring up to seven large
outlets including sports, furniture and homeware stores, with
a further glass-enclosed sector of 40 to 50 mainly fashion
and food stores planned in a mall based around a two-level
department store.
A 4200sq m Countdown supermarket will become Queenstown's
biggest supermarket, acting as a retail axis alongside
national and multinational big-box retailers.
Predominantly single-storeyed, with some two- and
three-storey levels, the complex will feature precincts
around a large central car park and will include an
entertainment junction of bars, restaurants and cinema
complex.
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