Plans for a $250 million-plus commercial precinct at Jack's Point, near Queenstown, are "great'', one resident says.
Resource consent applications for the first stage of the long-awaited village hub are expected to be lodged next week, featuring a large hotel and some residential units.
Queenstown lawyer Elliot Goldman and his wife Bridget have lived at Jack's Point for five and a-half years.
"I think it's great news,'' he said.
"It'll add to the amenity for residents out there. There's already quite a big community and it's only going to be a good thing.''
He looked forward to having a bakery and corner shop, along with bars and restaurants.
The village hub plans include a 172-room waterfront hotel and 120 units, including retirement living and staff housing, bordering the Clubhouse and Restaurant and Lake Tewa.
There will also be 30 multi-level "Main Street'' buildings, either side of the Clubhouse road, featuring shops, offices, residential and visitor accommodation.
The total cost of the village is expected to top $250 million.
Work on infrastructure such as roading and services is expected to start in July, with building scheduled to start on October 1.
Original Jack's Point developer John Darby is behind the village plan.
He said a major driver of the 3.5ha first stage was the hotel, given visitor demand in particular for the Jack's Point golf course, which was close to capacity.
"The demand for accommodation, for golf let alone general visitors, is pretty high.''
Mr Darby, who designed the championship course, added: "It's given us the confidence to now progress plans that have been in the making since 2005.''
There have always been plans for a commercial centre at Jack's Point but they were delayed by the global financial crisis.
Early this year, Mr Darby's company, Jack's Point Village Developments, bought back the Clubhouse and 6.5ha village zone from the Australian group developing the neighbouring Hanley Downs subdivision.
Mr Darby said the village's residential component would include affordable first-home housing, retirement living and worker accommodation - "meeting needs that aren't being met within the local community''.
Housing growth at Jack's Point and Hanley Downs was another trigger, he said.
With Jack's Point's 712 sections and up to 2165 residential lots planned for Hanley Downs, the entire Jack's Point zone would be about three times the size of Arrowtown.
The development would be led by local man Mike Coburn, an original partner and director of Jack's Point who also co-developed Queenstown's Lake Hayes Estate subdivision.
The village plan is being spearheaded by Mr Darby's company, Darby Partners, in partnership with a New Zealand-based investment group.
Mr Darby invited local people and businesses to give feedback via the Clubhouse or Darby Partners' website.
Construction at Jack's Point began in September 2004 and the first residential areas were completed two years later.
- Additional reporting David Williams
