When titles were granted late last year, developers Morton Property gave two sections to the Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust (QLCHT) with a further six to come over subsequent releases, all part of the Queenstown Lakes District Council’s inclusionary housing process.
The housing trust will build homes and sell these to eligible buyers as a part of its Secure Home programme.
The successful applicants will buy the house only and pay a ground rental on the land — a hugely significant saving. Some properties will also go into the QLCHT’s long-term rental portfolio.
Development manager Tom Morton believes this is a vital aspect of creating a holistic neighbourhood.
"When we started this project, it wasn’t just about building homes; it was about building a community where everyone is represented and everyone has a place.
"Our goal was to create a space where families, regardless of their income, could enjoy the beauty of the Queenstown Lakes. We wanted to ensure that our teachers, nurses and local workers had the opportunity to live in the community they serve."
The development, which has been in the making for 17 years, is a master-planned community where all houses are architecturally designed and go through a design review board to ensure the style is consistent with the development and the landscape.
Incorporating inclusionary housing into this model involves more than just building cost-effective homes.
"It’s about integrating these homes into the broader development seamlessly. We had to find a balance between affordability and maintaining the high standards of MCS," Mr Morton said.
"We worked closely with the trust to design homes that met our design guidelines and their affordability criteria. We faced challenges, but the result is something we’re all proud of."
So why would the developer willingly gift these sections?
With the cheapest house and land packages going for $1.5 million, it’s no small gesture.
As a long-term resident himself, Mr Morton is familiar with the wider implications of housing on a community.
"By providing affordable housing, we’re not just helping individual families; we’re ensuring the long-term sustainability of our community. When local workers can afford to live here, the whole district benefits."
Wānaka-based QLCHT trustee Phil Smith said the trust was very grateful for the sections.
"With around 200 eligible Wānaka households on our waiting list, we’re very grateful for these sections. Whilst there’s no silver bullet to the housing issue in our district, contributions like this have a truly positive impact, and are part of the solution," Mr Smith said.
Looking ahead, Mr Morton sees Mount Cardrona Station as a blueprint for future developments.
"I hope what we’re doing here can inspire other developers. Creating inclusive communities should be a priority, and it’s definitely possible with the right approach."
Mount Cardrona Station is balancing the needs of affordable housing with the aesthetic and quality standards of a high-end development.
It’s a project that goes beyond construction, aiming to bridge the gap between the affluent resort facade and the real-life challenges faced by the community.
When developers prioritise an inclusionary housing approach, it ensures that teachers, service workers and small business owners — the backbone of the town — have a place not just to work, but to call home.
- Poppie Johnson writes for the Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust.
