Ladies Mile development plans rejected

The master plan envisages up to 2400 dwellings in mainly high and medium-density areas of up to...
The master plan envisages up to 2400 dwellings in mainly high and medium-density areas of up to 70 units per hectare. Photo: QLDC
Plans for development along Queenstown’s northern entrance have been firmly rejected by the community.

Of the 506 submissions on the Queenstown Lakes District Council’s proposed Ladies Mile master plan and draft planning provisions, 86% indicated a lack of support or concerns.

Just 5% indicated support, and 8% were neutral.

Council planning and development general manager Tony Avery said the project team would now "carefully" analyse the feedback before reporting to the council.

Two of the public’s main concerns were the high density of housing that could occur along Ladies Mile and the likelihood of more congestion on the Shotover River bridge.

Mr Avery acknowledged these were "key themes" and while there was support for improved public and active transport, "this was paired with scepticism as to whether this would improve traffic issues in this area".

The NZ Transport Agency has said previously it was "unclear" how the development could be designed so as not to adversely impact the existing roading network.

There were calls from some submitters for a new bridge or for the existing bridge to be widened.

The master plan envisages up to 2400 dwellings in mainly high and medium-density areas of up to 70 units per hectare.

Mr Avery noted there was opposition to the proposed high-density housing at the same time as there was support for more affordable housing options.

"The project team now needs to reflect on that and ensure these concerns are balanced alongside the original goals and aspirations in undertaking this process.

"Acknowledging that private development may not deliver the best outcomes for a growing community, the project aimed to deliver highly efficient land use ..."

Mr Avery said there was support for proposed new schools, community facilities, green open space and commercial services.

He was aiming to report to the council’s meeting on July 29 to enable councillors to "confirm where to from here”.

Queenstown Lakes Mayor Jim Boult said dealing with the transport issue could continue to be a "work-on" beyond the council meeting.

"I’ve said in the past that nothing will happen there [at Ladies Mile] until we come up with a solution to the traffic issues."

A consultants’ analysis of the feedback noted "what we got right" was the focus on improved public transport, cycleways, walkways and underpasses beneath State Highway6, and "what we got wrong" were "unrealistic expectations" concerning the use of these forms of transport.

Add a Comment

 

Advertisement