Submissions in favour of a proposed ‘health precinct’ for Wānaka, including a hospital, are now being considered by Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC).

In May 2024 Wānaka-based property investment company Roa revealed plans for a $300M privately funded project comprising a five-level hospital with four operating theatres, imaging services, a 24-hour emergency department and more than 70 inpatient, emergency, and post anaesthetic care beds.  

Roa said the hospital would be at the heart of a broader “health precinct” which would include four offices for allied medical services such as consulting and treatment rooms, on-site parking, and ground level retail and hospitality opening out onto public pedestrian spaces.

Roa initially sought Fast-track Approval for the plans, but its application did not make the cut. 

CEO Mike Saegers told the Wānaka App the plans were a “straightforward” consent application which was “never reliant on fast tracking to overcome a consenting hurdle”.

Roa encouraged locals to make submissions to QLDC on the proposal, saying: “You don’t need to write much, but noting your own personal experience having to travel to Dunedin regularly would be valuable, and what it is you support about having a hospital and health precinct all in one place in Wānaka.” 

Submissions closed on Friday (May 23), and a Roa spokesperson told the Wānaka App 17 submissions were received, “all of which supported the proposal”.

“We are now awaiting the council's decision,” she said.

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. 

“Ultimately, we’re building what’s within our control, which is a five level hospital, four operating theatres, 70 plus beds and a 24 hour emergency department.”

Read more: A ‘void’ in health care planning as private plans proliferate

IMAGE: Supplied