A small farmers market and wholesale distribution business may soon be operating in Hawea Flat if a resource consent application lodged last month with Lakes Environmental is approved.
Justin Browne and Katrina Gwilliam want to build a new garage at their property at 14 Loach Rd, to be used as a small-scale distribution centre for groceries - mainly organic foods - which would be delivered weekly to homes within the Queenstown and Wanaka areas.
The distribution operation would make up 90% of the business, then for one or two days a week, the pair want to open the centre to the public so they can buy goods directly from the site.
Their long-term plan is to grow their own produce in an already-established tunnel house, and to invite other Hawea Flat residents to set up their locally-grown produce stalls at the site.
The application said while there was "no allowance for any retail activity in the area", there was a "desire for a local goods store that is within walking distance of the existing houses in Hawea Flat".
The proposed building would be a controlled activity under the district plan and increased traffic to the site would be minimal and largely from within the immediate area.
A 40sq m workshop would be required for the distribution centre and retail sales, with a 5sq m outside chiller, meaning the building would exceed the permitted floor area of 40sq m. A 19sq m carport would also be needed for retail sales overflow.
The immediate neighbours have provided affected person's approval to the applicants.
