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Wednesday, 29 March 2023

Lease of land approved for community facility at the edge of Queenstown Events Centre

A community hub facility in Frankton is a step closer to fruition following the decision

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A community hub facility in Frankton is a step closer to fruition following Council approval to lease land at the north-eastern edge of Queenstown Events Centre to Whakatipu Community Hub Charitable Trust (WCHCT).

The Trust aims to use the approximately 1.18ha of land to offer affordable office rental and co-working spaces, to be used by social agencies in the Queenstown Lakes District.

QLDC Property Director, Quintin Howard said Council’s decision to grant the lease to Whakatipu Community Hub Charitable Trust would help provide space for community services and modern, purpose-built facilities.

“The Trust is initially proposing to construct two buildings with associated accessways and car parking, with the potential to add two more buildings if and when capacity and demand require this,” said Mr Howard.

The duration of the lease has been set at 34 years and 364 days from the commencement date, with annual ground rental set at $1.00 per annum plus GST and to be reviewed in accordance with QLDC’s Community Facility Funding Policy.

Whakatipu Trust Chair John MacDonald said the Trust was delighted to have secured the lease of this land after several years of searching.

“The planned hub promises a secure community asset which will bring together many of the region's community services to create a warm and welcoming environment, open and available to all in one excellent location,” said Mr MacDonald.

“This lease allows us to get on with our planning, and to design, consent and construct the hub. It’s slowly coming together at a time when the need for such a space is greater than ever and continues to grow. We are extremely grateful to QLDC and those who have demonstrated to the Council the need for such a facility, as your support is what will deliver this vision."

The decision follows an expression of interest received from WCHCT for the excess land after it was identified in the Queenstown Events Centre masterplan.

Formal submissions were taken in December 2022 and January 2023, with the majority of the 25 submissions received supportive of the proposed lease and its duration.

The lease area is part of Lot 2 DP 476309, part of Section 61 Block I Shotover SD and part of Section 62 Block I Shotover SD.

The lease was approved at the full Council meeting on Thursday 23 March 2023.

ENDS|KUA MUTU.

Media contact: communications@qldc.govt.nz or call 03 441 1802.

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