Te Pūtahi Ladies Mile Variation approved by Minister

Queenstown Lakes District Council’s (QLDC) Te Pūtahi Ladies Mile streamlined planning process Variation has been approved by Minister for the Environment, Penny Simmonds.

Councillor and Chair of QLDC’s Planning & Strategy Committee, Lyal Cocks welcomed the decision, noting the area would help to provide for future housing demand in the Queenstown Lakes and enable approximately 2,400 new residential units at higher densities.

“Housing continues to be one of the biggest challenges faced in the District, and Te Pūtahi Ladies Mile Variation ensures more land is available to be developed sustainably to accommodate increased density and more affordable housing options for our current and future residents,” said Mr Cocks.

“I’d like to acknowledge the huge endeavour by all involved, including the public, to get the Variation to this stage. I’m looking forward to seeing development commence, with the necessary infrastructure being provided and traffic conditions addressed.”

The decision by the Minister means Te Pūtahi Ladies Mile Variation will now form part of QLDC’s Proposed District Plan (PDP) and will be considered operative from Friday 6 December 2024.

The new Zone will require a minimum density of 40 units per net hectare (for medium and higher density) over the Zone, meaning the area will require higher density development than other zones in the Queenstown Lakes District and ensure efficient use of the land.

The Zone will also provide a range of open spaces and community facilities, support commercial activities through a new commercial centre, and focus on providing active travel and public transport infrastructure to support a significant shift in how people get around the Whakatipu Basin.

QLDC General Manager Planning & Development, David Wallace noted Te Pūtahi Ladies Mile Variation includes provisions to ensure development in the area is integrated with transport infrastructure.

“As and when development occurs, we’ll be looking at elements like upgraded and signalised intersections, bus lanes, and active travel links to provide public transport and safe cycling and pedestrians options to ensure future housing in the area can be effectively serviced by the infrastructure available,” said Mr Wallace.

“The new Zone will also have strong requirements for the treatment of stormwater.”

Mr Wallace added there was significant work to do by both Council staff and landowners in the area to ensure development that eventuates meets the purpose and requirements of the Zone.

“Development within Te Pūtahi Ladies Mile Zone will need to fall within the timeframes for infrastructure upgrades that are identified in QLDC’s Long Term Plan 2024-2034, or be funded by developers,” said Mr Wallace.

Mr Wallace added the Variation was one mechanism in which Council could help to address Queenstown’s pressing housing needs, and in a way that reflects the diversity of residents needed to support economic growth without impacting negatively on the environment.

Notification of the Minister’s decision will be sent to those who made a formal submission on the Variation next week.

Te Pūtahi Ladies Mile is one of the Priority Areas earmarked for development in the Queenstown Lakes Spatial Plan.

ENDS|KUA MUTU.

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

FURTHER INFORMATION | Kā pāroko tāpiri

Decision on Te Pūtahi Ladies Mile Variation Streamlined Planning Process Letter: https://www.qldc.govt.nz/media/gtwkuev1/decision-letter-to-queenstown-lakes-district-council.pdf

More information on the Council-led masterplan for the Te Putahi Ladies Mile area can be found here: https://www.qldc.govt.nz/your-council/major-projects/ladies-mile-masterplan

More information on the government’s streamlined planning process can be found here: https://environment.govt.nz/guides/streamlined-planning-process/

Queenstown Lakes Spatial Plan: https://www.qldc.govt.nz/your-council/council-documents/queenstown-lakes-spatial-plan/