QLDC to consider plan change to allow development

A 25m indoor public swimming pool, land allocated for affordable housing, a childcare centre, convenience retail stores and sports facilities will be key features of a new housing development in Wanaka - dependent on Queenstown Lakes District Council approving a plan change later this week.

Hearing Commissioners for Northlake Plan Change 45 have recommended the re-zoning of 219 hectares of land in Wanaka to the north of Aubrey Road and in the vicinity of Outlet Road.

This proposed zoning will enable a range of residential and essential community facilities and the commissioners recommendation will be considered by the QLDC at its full council meeting this Thursday 24 July.

The plan change to re-zone the land from Rural General to a new Northlake Special Zone was prepared by John Edmonds & Associates Ltd, on behalf of three adjoining landowners.

Mr Edmonds said plans for the zone included a new indoor 25m pool to be built, operated and maintained by the developers.

"The new pool building, which will also include a gym, has been designed to fit with the Wanaka landscape, in the classic style of a high country station shearing shed. The pool will be permanently available for public use," he said.

When asked about the recent announcement of closure of the existing Wanaka public swimming pool, Mr Edmonds said the developers will approach the QLDC to discuss options to fast track the new swimming pool in Stage 1 of the Northlake development.

He said this could result in the new swimming pool being available for the public by 2015, and stated that options to be discussed could include changes to the current pool design to address Wanaka community requirements.

An important aspect of Northlake Plan Change 45 is the provision of land for affordable housing. Twenty serviced residential sections will be available to the public to buy at no more than $160,000, subject to an option in favour of the Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust so they can be offered to suitably qualified families through the Trust's equity share or other community housing retention method.

In addition the Northlake zone will provide for potentially another 235 medium density housing lots targeted at the affordable end of the market range.

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QLDC to consider plan change to allow development