A base at Frankton Marina base has been approved and the Queenstown Coastguard wants to get building right away.
The site, approved by the Queenstown Lakes District Council this week is a block on the Queenstown side of the Scouts building. The Coastguard has used the small back rooms of the building forsome time, spokesman Tim Buckley said.
"We've never had a base. We've been based in the small back rooms and lock-ups. We are currently in a small lock-up garage, next door to where the building will go."
The new building would give the volunteer organisation quick access to Lake Wakatipu.
"It's going to make a huge difference for water-safety training and other marine training," he said.
"It really makes sense to be close to the marina. It provides a nice central place," he said.
"People have said why not be closer to the main lake, but once you are on the water, you are two minutes from the main lake."
The organisation, which was established in 2007, would have to raise considerable funds before building could begin, but Mr Buckley said it would like to get things started as soon as possible.
"It is all dependent on fundraising. I'd like to say let's start building now, but we can't, as the lease isn't finalised."
The Coastguard is one of the charities for this year's Winter Festival. This would be a big help, Mr Buckley said.
The Coastguard would also approach local trusts for financial assistance.
The council had "been aware" the Coastguard needed a new home for about three years but was not formerly notified until November last year.
APL Property director Jo Conroy presented the report at the council's community services committee meeting on Tuesday and outlined the suitability of the location and necessity of the building.
The report said the location was of value because many incidents occurred at night, when volunteers were at their homes.
The site also had easy road access, a working marina and was a short distance to the main lake.
Cr Simon Stamers-Smith had concerns the building was too "magnificent" for 26 people.
After the meeting Ms Conroy said it was a community amenity and it would be "quite nice to have a building that looks attractive".
"It's not just for 26 people. It's actually for the population of Queenstown. There's sometimes a misunderstanding of what Coastguard does."
Coastguard had consulted with the public through an open day last December and had discussions with affected groups, such as Queenstown Scouts and the Marine Preservation Society. They had all generally supported the proposal.
The base would be established at no cost to the and the Coastguard would be raising funds for the building.
There will be a new cycle track around the new building.
A landscape company was commissioned to design a car park which would cater for boat trailers and other equipment.
Committee chairwoman Cr Cath Gilmour, said because it was a small space, land would have to be used efficiently to "minimise the footprint".
