A plan change proposal at the Northlake Special Zone (NSZ) will go before a hearing in a few months time. 

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) councillors voted to appoint Richard Blakey (as chair) and Rachel Dimery to the independent hearing panel at last week’s full council meeting.

The panel will assess evidence to determine whether or not to approve Northlake Investment Limited’s (NIL) proposed private plan change 54.

If approved, the plan change would provide legal access and an infrastructure services corridor to Sticky Forest and also expand the land available for residential building at NSZ with rezoning, which could result in up to 63 additional dwellings.

QLDC media and channels advisor Sam White said the hearing would likely take place around late July or early August. 

“A notice of hearing will now be issued within the next two weeks,” Sam said. “This will include key dates for the hearing including the evidence exchange timetable.”

“If available, we’re hoping the venue will be Wānaka Community Hub.”

QLDC made the rare decision to make its own corporate submission on the private plan change because of previous stormwater issues at Northlake.

Signed by QLDC chief executive Mike Theelen, the submission said the council wants to see that stormwater can be appropriately conveyed and disposed of “in a way that avoids adverse flooding, erosion and other stormwater effects”. 

QLDC and others who made submissions on the plan change will be able to speak to their submissions at the upcoming hearing.

NIL gained approval for an 100-unit retirement village at Northlake in 2021, on the proviso that meets certain conditions (one of which is enabling road access to Sticky Forest). This was one of the “key reasons” for requesting the plan change, NIL said.

PHOTO: Wānaka App