Queenstown Lakes District Council has been flooded with more than 350 submissions after a proposal to allow higher density development and taller buildings in the lakeside town.
Submitters outlined fears the move would block lake views, destroy the town’s the character and leave it just another Queenstown.
Others support the proposal saying intensification is the only way to make Wanaka more affordable.
It proposes changes to the Wānaka town centre, including a new height of 16.5m and more relaxed standards on some buildings blocking sunlight.
Community action group Responsible Growth Wanaka said the variation did not take into consideration the township’s character, in particular its low-key village, town centre and adjoining low-scale residential areas with uncluttered single and double-level homes.
Lifting the existing Wānaka Town Centre heights from 12m to 16.5m and the adjoining medium density zone from 7m to 12m would "irrevocably alter and destroy the character of Wanaka".
"The intensification of Queenstown has resulted in loss of character, domination of form, parking and transport impacts and strain on infrastructure.
"This variation would result in similar issues in Wānaka."
Others were similarly worried.
Wānaka man Michael Burke said he was strongly against the proposal.
"We believe the strong and distinct character of the Wānaka area would be destroyed by developers or individual owners out to make money on sections coming up for sale in the future.
"This is not Auckland or one of the big cities and we need to protect this environment."
Janet Malloch submitted the variation was not an appropriate use of planning laws for Wānaka as well as being "inconsistent" with the council’s operative and proposed planning documents.
"One might wonder whether the council’s objective is to boost its revenue to accommodate the demands of development."
Alice Todd’s submission said the proposed changes would see many Wānaka locals and homeowners hemmed in by buildings, losing sun, privacy and views.
However, some submitters were in favour of the proposal.
Submitter Mark Hervey said he supported the intensification of Wānaka town centre and the proposed new height of 16.5m.
"The proposal will entice the development of a mix of commercial and residential units in the town centre, creating a more inclusive lifestyle."
Team Green Architects also supported the variation, arguing that "intensification of our urban environments are a necessary step towards having a sustainable and affordable community".
Others, such as Colleen Landsborough, had mixed views about the proposed changes.
"Although I support urban development, it must be done in appropriate locations.
"The locations I think are appropriate are subdivisions that are yet to be built on, such as areas of [industrial commercial area] 3 Parks or any other subdivisions waiting to be developed.
"By doing this, people will be aware of the area they are buying into, and more importantly, Wānaka’s character will be retained."
The proposed changes are part of the over-arching moves to enable more height and density in certain locations throughout the Queenstown Lakes District.
More than 1200 individuals have submitted on the proposals.
Hearings on the Wānaka proposals will take place next week.
