Foodstuffs South Island has confirmed, all going to plan, a large New World store should be open in the Three Parks development that year.
General manager property and retail development, Roger Davidson, last night released a statement saying resource consent had not yet been lodged for the store, but plans were well advanced.
''We have had a New World store in central Wanaka for a number of years, and it will continue to service locals and visitors, while this much larger store would help cater for the expected population growth in the wider Wanaka area.''.
Between 2006 and 2013, the population of the Wanaka area grew by 28.5% and the total Queenstown Lakes district population grew by 22.9% to just over 28,000 residents.
By 2031, that number, according to the Queenstown Lakes District Council, was predicted to increase to 44,000 residents, with a further 23,346 visitors to the region.
''We think New World will be the right fit for the future population of Three Parks.
''This new supermarket will create local jobs for local people and will become a part of the fabric of this new community.''
Queenstown Lakes councillor Ross McRobie, of Wanaka, said he was very supportive of another supermarket to relieve the pressure, but he was surprised it was the same brand as an existing supermarket.
''From a personal perspective, residents would need to ensure there was competitive pricing, which appears to occur with the three different supermarkets within close proximity to each other in Queenstown.''
From an employment perspective, however, he was ''really pleased'' it would create more jobs in Wanaka.
Fellow district councillor Quentin Smith, also of Wanaka, said residents had long anticipated a new supermarket and known one was very likely at Three Parks, but had not had confirmation or a timeline.
''It is great to hear a new one confirmed and that progress is being made in this regard in delivering within the next 1-2 years. Fantastic that we have some hope of being able to get our essential supplies, particularly during the busy holiday peak periods. Wanaka has clearly grown out of being a one-supermarket town.''
Three Parks, southeast of Wanaka town centre off the Wanaka-Luggate highway, is a mixed use development covering 100 ha, to include a retail area, business park, residential sections and a new school.
Major stores are also tipped to open there in the next few years.
