It is understood the developer hoped to start construction, in stages, from the middle of next year.
Asked to comment, Mr Boult said he did not have details of the style of housing or pricing.
"But clearly there is pressure on housing in the district and providing the development complies, then it would appear to be a very positive move."
The 3.84ha site was bought by listed Singaporean parent company GYP Properties Ltd in May for $19.2 million.
The vendor, Auckland developer Queenstown Central Ltd, gained consent in August for a $100 million town centre right next door, including plans for a Kmart department store.
The Remarkables Residences proposed "truly affordable homes to meet the needs of current and future generations in the Queenstown community", its application said.
The townhouses were aimed at "owner-occupiers, families and key workers" and a proportion would be held by an institutional investor for long-term rentals.
Layouts would suit "traditional families, rental accommodation, worker accommodation and flatting situations", the application said.
The complex has been designed by Auckland-based Ignite Architects, while local consultants include landscape architects Baxter Design Group and engineering consultancy Fluent Solutions.
The developer asked the council to process the consent on a non-notified basis, since the land was set aside for mostly medium and high-density housing in the council’s plan change 19.
According to its application, the company would build 24 rows of three- and four-storey terraced housing.
Each block would have a different design.
Seventy percent of the townhouses will be three-storey, four-bedroom units.
The rest are three to five-bedroom units with a self-contained studio capable of being rented out or used as an office/study.
News of the proposal follows the announcement last month of a $30million worker housing complex for Gorge Rd.
- Philip Chandler
