A new McDonald’s restaurant has been approved for Three Parks, advancing a proposal that has been closely watched since an earlier bid for the fast-food chain to establish a restaurant at the base of Mount Iron was turned down.

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) senior planner Ian Bayliss has granted non-complying resource consent for a 450.4m² restaurant and 24-hour drive-through on Sir Tim Wallis Drive, entirely within the Business Mixed Use-zoned portion of the site.​

Ian said the Three Parks location, design changes and technical work meant the latest proposal met the Resource Management Act tests for a non-complying activity.

“The proposal will enable commercial activities that serve the needs of the community and will contribute to a well‑functioning urban environment,” he said, referencing consistency with the National Policy Statement on Urban Development. 

He also concluded the restaurant “will maintain existing amenity values and the quality of the environment,” with adverse effects avoided, remedied or mitigated through consent conditions.

The proposed site layout next to the BP station in Three Parks.

The previous McDonald’s application for Wānaka was rejected after planners found its location and effects did not sufficiently align with district plan outcomes and community concerns about amenity and character. 

In contrast, the new consented site sits among existing and consented commercial development at Three Parks, including the BP station and large-format retail, and was assessed as generating effects no more than minor on the wider environment.​

Although non-complying due to noise and signage breaches, expert reviews concluded transport, noise, lighting and earthworks effects could be appropriately managed, allowing council to approve the consent without public or limited notification.

McDonald’s told RNZ it hopes to open within the next 12 months.

IMAGES: McDonald’s resource consent application