Plan to guide growth locked in for Te Tapuae Southern Corridor

Land south of Kawarau River around Hanley’s Farm and Jack’s Point will benefit from a plan to guide development and infrastructure in the area, after Councillors adopted Te Tapuae Southern Corridor Structure Plan at Queenstown Lakes District Council’s (QLDC) Full Council Meeting on Thursday 4 September.

The Plan – a 30-year roadmap that identifies where homes, shops, and parks go, how people get around and where key services are placed and staged – aims to ensure land at the foot of the Remarkables remains a highly desirable place where people can live, work, play, and visit.

Mayor of Queenstown Lakes District, Glyn Lewers said adoption of the Plan was a significant step to address increasing traffic movements in the area, provide more housing choice, three waters infrastructure, access to shopping, businesses and community facilities, and safe transport options.

“Te Tapuae Southern Corridor could potentially support up to a total of 9,300 houses by 2050 and it’s already growing rapidly. Population in the area increased by 260% in the last five years alone, and that growth is expected to continue whether we plan for it or not,” said Mayor Lewers.

“That’s why it’s so important we have a strategy in place to ensure this Priority Development Area grows well in years to come, making sure neighbourhoods are designed in the best possible way for our communities while protecting what makes this place special.”

The now-adopted Structure Plan addresses a range of different challenges and opportunities in Te Tapuae Southern Corridor, some key features being:

• Support for the potential future development of approximately 9,300 homes with a range of density options over 20-30 years

• Creation of three mixed-use commercial centres, new educational facilities (including a second primary and potential secondary school), and expanded social infrastructure (library, aquatic centre, sports fields, pocket parks and recreation areas)

• New and upgraded three waters infrastructure, including staged wastewater and stormwater solutions, and a new water intake and treatment system dedicated to the area

• Transport initiatives like enhanced public transport and active travel options to reduce reliance on private vehicles, encourage alternative travel modes, and manage growth-related congestion

• Integration of Kāi Tahu and QEII Trust land values, emphasising biodiversity, mauri (life essence), and sustainable management.

Adoption of the Structure Plan for Te Tapuae Southern Corridor follows public engagement held in June and July this year, where those interested were asked to plan for the area today to help build a community that meets their needs tomorrow.

Mayor Lewers thanked the many interested members of the community who took time to learn more about the Structure Plan, attended community drop-in sessions held in Hanley’s Farm and Jack’s Point, and ultimately, shared feedback to help shape the future of the area.

“Feedback highlighted the need for a balanced and considered strategy that supports growth while preserving the area’s unique character, and there was a clear aspiration for development to enhance quality of life while being supported by infrastructure when it’s needed,” said Mayor Lewers.

“As a result, amendments were made to the Structure Plan adopted by Council, which included adjustments to proposed zoning, local centre locations, protection of a highly valued landscape strip within Jack’s Point, and additional provision for industrial land and transport infrastructure.”

Over 130 participants shared feedback on a draft Structure Plan for Te Tapuae Southern Corridor, 78% of which came from people living in the area. Copies of the Plan itself were downloaded over 800 times, and Council’s Let’s Talk consultation and engagement webpage for the project was visited 3,500 times.

With the Structure Plan for Te Tapuae Southern Corridor now adopted, planning will begin for changes to land use rules in the area to enable its implementation. This will likely result in one or a mixture of variations and/or plan changes as part of the District Plan.

Any potential plan change or variation will be notified and include public consultation, where formal submissions will be held.

ENDS | KUA MUTU.

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

FURTHER INFORMATION | Kā pāroko tāpiri:

Te Tapuae Southern Corridor Structure Plan: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/48822837a39541d884390a1241bad165

Covering Report: Te Tapuae Southern Corridor Final Structure Plan for adoption: https://www.qldc.govt.nz/media/ywcgjokp/1te-tapuae-southern-corridor-structure-plan-covering-report.pdf

Engagement Summary – Draft Te Tapuae Southern Corridor Structure Plan: https://letstalk.qldc.govt.nz/89805/widgets/421558/documents/315694