After an hour of discussion around the table in Queenstown yesterday, a raft of parking changes in the resort's CBD was passed by the Queenstown Lakes District Council, despite vehement opposition from the public.
Developer Alastair Porter estimates between 3000 and 4000 apartment units could be built within the Remarkables Park town centre zone in the future.
Up to 646 units or residential apartments and a 100-bed aged care facility have been agreed to or approved in principle by the Queenstown Lakes District Council under the Housing Accords and Special Housing Areas Act to date.
A seventh special housing area proposal for Queenstown is going to the Government.
A $58million development project at Remarkables Park will deliver 55 residential and 81 serviced hotel apartments to Queenstown within the next two years.
The Queenstown Lakes District Council has retained the ability to issue building consents, for now at least.
Informal airports came to the fore again yesterday during resumed hearings on the Queenstown Lakes District Council's proposed district plan.
Banning camper vans from Queenstown's CBD and freeing up 60 parking spaces in the Church St car park for public use are among the "bold moves'' being recommended to the Queenstown Lakes District Council.
The Department of Conservation has described the Queenstown Lakes District Council's list of Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) as a "starting point''.
The Queenstown Airport Corporation has sought additional provisions in the Queenstown Lakes District Council's proposed district plan to provide clarity in planning for Wanaka Airport.
Fashion parades, an auction, raffles and a special performance by one of New Zealand's most successful singer-songwriters helped to raise $9100 for the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation in Queenstown yesterday.
Winter is on the way. Late on Monday night, NZSki fired up its 217 snow guns at Coronet Peak for the first time this year when temperatures dropped to -7degC in the Wakatipu.
A Queenstown teenager is one of five New Zealand high school pupils selected to explore the final frontier as they take part in the international Space Camp in the United States in July.
The chairman of the Wakatipu High School Foundation says there's "no reason'' not to accept funding from overseas land purchasers.
A Queenstown resident has urged the Queenstown Lakes District Council to rezone rural land to rural lifestyle so future generations have a chance of staying in the district.
The High Court has found the Queenstown Lakes District Council made no errors in rejecting a would-be special housing area (SHA).
The Minister of Building and Housing says he will not rule out government intervention if the Queenstown Lakes District Council cannot fix deficiencies in its building consent department.
Building and Housing Minister Nick Smith says he is "open-minded'' about further initiatives the Government needs to make to address an "acute'' shortage of housing in the Queenstown Lakes.
Despite fairly miserable conditions, the New Zealand Mountain Running Championships, held on Ben Lomond in Queenstown on Saturday, have been hailed a success.
It is the stuff dreams are made of.
