SHAs must wait for guideline review

New special housing area (SHA) proposals in Queenstown will not be considered until council guidelines for the process are reviewed.

The move was approved by councillors at the final meeting of the Queenstown Lakes District Council’s current term yesterday.

But councillors rejected a call by Cr Cath Gilmour that fast-tracked housing proposals be put on hold until a land-use study of the Wakatipu Basin was completed in January.

Ms Gilmour, who is the portfolio leader for planning and development, said she did not want the next council "sent down the Shotover without a paddle" and lacking the information necessary for making informed decisions on SHA proposals.

Planning and development general manager Tony Avery said it would be some time after January before the council would be able to decide how to deal with the land-use study.

Waiting would introduce significant delay to the process.

Arrowtown Ward councillor Scott Stevens, who has been elected unopposed, told Cr Gilmour he was sure the new council would change the lead policy.

In her report for councillors, senior policy planner Anita Vanstone said the Wakatipu Basin Land Use Study and Ladies Mile Masterplan would help the new council identify areas that could best absorb residential development while achieving infrastructure efficiency and minimising landscape impact.

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