Cardrona Valley could soon be known for its golfing as well as its winter and summer alpine sports after a meeting of the Queenstown Lakes District Council yesterday unanimously passed a plan change allowing a 12-hole golf course to be built about 2km north of Cardrona township.
Plan Change 52, as it has become known, would be made to the Mt Cardrona Station Special Zone (MCSSZ) which is part of the Operative Queenstown Lakes District Plan.
The MCSSZ was established in 2011 and allows for commercial, residential and visitor accommodation to be developed in the 131ha zone next to the Cardrona Valley Rd. Until now, there has been no development.
The plan change was proposed by Mt Cardrona Station Ltd, owned by Auckland-based property investor and developer Chris Morton.
As well as making provision for a golf course, the plan change would replace a proposed village green area with a village square or public space which would better fit the commercial needs of the area, such as golf pro shop, clubhouse and hotel.
It would also allow higher-density residential buildings.
A car-parking and shuttle bus area for the Cardrona Ski Area would also be included, as would a possible gondola leading to the ski area.
Cr Tony Hill said, ``It's a fantastic use of that area, I certainly endorse it.''
