Kurt Gibbons, who is behind three residential complexes in and around Frankton - including the near-completed intensive but relatively affordable Five Mile Villas - applied in May for a fast-track "referral" for his Ridgeburn mixed-use subdivision at Arrow Junction.
He was told his application was "incomplete/non-compliant", but he was welcome to apply again.
Mr Gibbons’ proposal is for 212ha Doonholme Farm in Morven Ferry Rd, close to the turnoff with State Highway 6.
This was farmed by Whakatipu character Alan "Hammy" Hamilton from just after World War 2 until his death, aged 91, in 2022; it was a pioneer deer farm which also hosted VIPs such as Singaporean prime minister Lee Kuan Yew.
Ironically, in his book on the farm, Mr Hamilton said he would like to look down from heaven after he died "and see that it’s still a farm, with its beautiful trees".
"I’d like to see that the farm has not been turned into a housing estate but rather a park where visitors can drive through by road and see farming activities, the deer, the trees, the mountains and the big river below."
Seven months after he died, his family - who still own the mostly rural-zoned farm, according to property records - had it listed for sale by international tender.
An information memorandum (IM) stated it would appeal to the "ultra-high net worth" set, with one of its seven titles alone boasting a capital value of $4.5million.
The IM said the farm had 360-degree views of the Whakatipu Basin and a wide range of potential uses, including residential development.
Mr Gibbons’ fast-track application makes great play of Ridgeburn’s affordable housing component and plans to enhance the environment.
Of the 1242 or so residences, 180 would be higher-density "more affordable" homes ranging from $599,000 one-bedders to $999,000 for three-bedders - and construction would start within the first six months of a resource consent being issued.
An economic impact assessment says this "represents a significant and urgently needed contribution to the district’s constrained supply of more affordable housing".
There is also provision for short- to medium-term seasonal workers’ accommodation.
Ridgeburn would incorporate seven commercial buildings including a community centre, supermarket, business centre and daycare facility.
Like Arrowtown’s Millbrook and Ayrburn, some historic farm buildings, likely dating from 1865 to 1875, would be restored and re-purposed for the likes of a community hub, museum and hospitality venue.
There is provision for nearly 60ha of native planting and pest control around Morven Hill and the Kawarau River-bordering southern boundary which includes about 150,000 native plantings on the hill and escarpment.
A permit under the Wildlife Act is also being sought to relocate lizards.
According to the application, all infrastructure would e fully-funded by the developer, "with no reliance on Queenstown’s constrained networks".
There is even a suggestion its on-site wastewater system could receive flows from surrounding catchments "including the rapidly-growing Ladies Mile area".
The traffic assessment report says the completed subdivision would create 8000 vehicle movements a day, and up to 800 during peak hours, but concludes surrounding roads could handle that.
However, Mr Gibbons is also offering to widen Morven Ferry Rd and redesign the SH6 intersection.
It is noted Ridgeburn would be well served by existing and proposed walking/cycling trails, and there is also talk of a nearby SH6 bus stop if a proposed "orbital" bus service goes ahead.
Meanwhile, in touting the subdivision’s regional or national economic benefits, to justify fast-track consenting, the application says about $710m would be generated in Otago during the seven-year construction period.
And there would be 6500-plus "full-time equivalent job years" during that period.
Application falls short
Eleven days after Kurt Gibbons’ fast-track referral application was lodged, a Ministry for the Environment GM ruled it did not comply with five sections of the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024.
Missing, for example, were requirements to demonstrate how referring Ridgeburn to the fast-track approvals process "would facilitate the project".
Also missing, the GM claims, is a summary of the consultation with relevant iwi authorities, and how this had "informed" the project.
Nor was there a list of Treaty settlements applying to the project area.
However, the official does offer to discuss matters raised, and to discuss any new application prior to it being lodged.
Allied Media been unable so far to contact Mr Gibbons to ask what his next step is.
