Resource consent has been approved for the Wānaka Health Precinct joint venture between Roa and Kā Rūnaka (represented by Puketeraki Ltd and Ōtākou Ltd).

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) has used discretionary powers to grant the consent without the need for a hearing, following a public notification process where all 17 submissions received were supportive.

The consent is for a five-level surgical hospital and helipad, supported by four purpose-designed office buildings for allied medical services, and on-site car parking.

Roa CEO Mike Saegers said achieving the resource consent was “a big step forward”. 

“The community can now look forward to the Wānaka Health Precinct attracting medical specialties and services not currently available in the area,” he said.

Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki chair Matapura Ellison welcomed the news on behalf of Kā Rūnaka. 

“The critical lack of health and social infrastructure is a significant and growing issue for the people of Wānaka and Central Otago,” he said. 

“This project is vital to meeting the future needs of this area’s rapidly growing population and we look forward to advancing the project, including the wider interests of mana whenua.”

While Roa initially announced it planned to engage “a high-quality private healthcare operator to manage the hospital”, Mike told the Wānaka App it was “an absolute priority for us for these facilities to be available to everyone”. 

“We’re looking at all options to make that happen, and we’re engaged with the public health sector about ways to do that.” 

Read more: Roa announces joint venture partnership with mana whenua

IMAGE: Supplied