The resource consent hearing for Universal Developments’ Lake Hawea subdivision has wrapped up following a two-day hearing at Edgewater Resort on Monday and Tuesday (February 23 and 24). 

The subdivision was granted approval under SHA (special housing area) legislation in July last year and this week’s hearing considered the developer’s application for land use consent for the construction of more than 400 residential units, a childcare facility, commercial activities and buildings, and essential infrastructure and services.

Willowridge Developments, the developer of the nearby Timsfield subdivision on the north side of Cemetery Road as well as other developments in the Upper Clutha, was the only one of four who submitted against the application to speak to their submission at the hearing yesterday (February 24).

Macalister Todd Philips lawyer Jayne MacDonald, representing Willowridge, came down hard on a handful of things in the application including the size and scope of commercial activity proposed. 

“Willowridge does not take issue with the inclusion of a childcare centre... nor the commercial building to be established on Lot 600,” Jayne said. “Its concern lies with the ten commercial lots falling within the centre and, more specifically, the land use consents sought for the same.” 

In November last year Universal Developments provided council with amended plans which reduced the proposed number of residential lots from 495 to 480 and added the proposed ten bulk commercial lots, among other things.

A representative for the applicant advised that each commercial space would be capped at 1,000sqm. The existing Lake Hawea commercial zone is around 4,600 sqm in total. 

“It is a huge leap to go from 2000sqm of capacity to the 16,800sqm that has been proposed to you,” she said to commissioners. 

The location of the SHA. PHOTO: Universal Developments

Sharing concerns over the commercial lots was urban design consultant Garth Falconer. 

“I don’t see that there has been sufficient evidence provided for what has become a larger commercial town service centre, and that is a concern because the conditions that have been provided are very loose and very vague and you could do all sorts of development within that,” he said.

Commissioner David Whitney did ask Jayne about previous plans for a possible commercial zone provision at Willowridge’s nearby Timsfield development, requesting “some enlightenment about what that is and what stakes that might have”.

She said Willowridge had “some time ago” been in discussions with the Ministry for Education regarding a new school and possible commercial provision to support it. “There is no intention presently for any school or commercial development of that land,” she said. 

Garth also expressed concern over changes to the planned roading network which would allow the roads to connect with land south, east and west of the subdivision if it were to grow, but said the road as it was was still “supportable”.

The Hawea SHA is strongly opposed by the Hawea Community Association; however the mayor, the Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust and others have called it a huge win for affordable housing - house and land packages will cost between $464,000 (two bedroom) and $650,000 (three/four bedroom), significantly below average house prices recorded for this district. 

Developer Lane Hocking has said the intention of the SHA is to develop a high quality subdivision which will put locals in their own homes. 

A decision will be made by commissioners David Whitney (chair), Dr Lee Beattie and Lisa Mein in due course.