A major expansion of the Lake Hāwea commercial zone, including a restaurant, cinema, retail spaces, supermarket, medical clinic and visitor accommodation, has been proposed.

Lake Hāwea Holdings Ltd, owned by Wanaka businessman Matt Laming, has submitted a resource consent application to the Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) seeking to redevelop the Capell Avenue site for “a comprehensive complex of commercial, retail, office and visitor accommodation use”.

The proposal includes the demolition of the existing Hawea Store and Kitchen building - a dairy and cafe - situated on the corner of Capell Avenue and Parry Crescent, with plans to “repurpose” it.

The Hāwea Store and Kitchen is owned by IWC Holdings, of which Hamish and Erica Mackay are directors. The Mackays have signed an ‘affected party approval’ consenting to the proposal.

An artist’s impression of the proposed commercial zone. IMAGE: Supplied

The proposed two-storey development includes a ground floor level restaurant, cinema, six retail spaces, supermarket, medical clinic, and access to parking for eight visitor accommodation units (four one-bed units and four two-bed units).

Twelve parking spaces for the visitor units would be located at ground level, with a one-way lane running through the site. 

The first floor includes additional restaurant and cinema space, and office space above the smaller retail units fronting the neighbouring QLDC reserve, and further medical clinic space. 

The development includes a total of 1666m2 of floor area.

The existing Hāwea Store and Kitchen will be repurposed as part of the redevelopment. PHOTO: Supplied

The application said Lake Hāwea Holdings Ltd was seeking to re-develop the site in line with the activity and scale of buildings anticipated by the Local Shopping Centre Zone. 

The Local Shopping Centre Zone enables small scale commercial and business activities in largely residential environments to reduce the necessity for locals to travel longer distances to town centres to purchase convenience goods and access services. 

Two additional lots to the south were recently re-zoned to Local Shopping Centre Zone as part of the Proposed District Plan.

“...accordingly the planning context and therefore future environment anticipates a reasonably high degree of change within this area,” the application stated.

While the applicant has requested the application not be publicly notified, a QLDC spokesperson said a decision on notification has not yet been made.

Matt Laming and the Mackays were approached for comment.