NZHouseChina, an Auckland company with strong links to China, bought the historic 27ha estate in February.
In April, the Otago Daily Times reported the Campbell Park estate at Otekaieke could be turned into a sports academy, a conference centre and accommodation.
NZHouseChina general manager Rene Bros said at the time the company had a "million ideas" for the development of the site.
Last month council chief executive Michael Ross, Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher and Deputy Mayor Melanie Tavendale visited the site.
Mr Ross said the group was invited to the estate to discuss development plans, tour the buildings and discuss "what consenting processes might be required".
"We recommended that they appoint a planning consultant to assist the company in developing their plans and applications."
Mr Kircher said the council wanted "to see a vibrant business and community there again and if we are able to facilitate that, we would be more than pleased to".
"There’s a heck of a lot of work that has to go on there as far as refurbishing buildings ... They’ve certainly got a lot of aspiration and if they can bring their plans to fruition it would be fantastic for the area."
At the time of purchase the property, which dates back to 1857, included a "castle"; 32 houses; a 220-seat restaurant and commercial kitchen; historic stables; four dormitories; a library, theatre, tennis courts and gymnasium; equestrian facilities and vineyards; a large restored villa; a jail house; and two smaller Oamaru stone buildings known as Dansey’s Hut and Taylor’s Cottage.
A representative of NZHouseChina has not returned calls.
Its Shanghai-based parent company Richina’s website states: "Richina has had a long association with New Zealand. All of Richina’s New Zealand-based finance, trading and tourism businesses are located on our large-scale campus in Campbell Park Estate, halfway between Queenstown and Christchurch in the South Island of New Zealand."
