Three Auckland-based commissioners (Helen Atkins - chair, Robert Scott, and Lisa Mein) will decide the fate of a proposed Wānaka McDonald’s restaurant after this week’s hearing in the Lake Wānaka Centre.

Helen (a barrister), Robert (a planner), and Lisa (an urban designer) all mentioned their love of the Wānaka and Queenstown Lakes environment when they introduced themselves at the hearing this morning (November 25).

“You have to trust that we will ask all the right questions,” Helen said. 

She added that the commissioners had visited the site and read most, if not all, of the submissions - including all those which would be spoken to during the hearing.

Hearing chair Helen Atkins PHOTO: Supplied

McDonald’s was represented by an 11-strong contingent, led by barrister Jeremy Brabant.

He presented the case for why the 455m2 restaurant and drive-through near the Mt Iron/SH6 intersection should get the go-ahead.

McDonald’s lawyer Jeremy Brabant PHOTO: Supplied

Jeremy said he had both driven around the area and walked the Mt Iron path, noting “the development lapping its way around Mt Iron”.

He said while the area the McDonald’s restaurant is proposed for is currently zoned rural, the commissioners must decide on what the environment is actually like, adding: “the fact that it is zoned rural does not deem its character and amenity to be rural”.

The small site “is not a rural productive site”, he said, noting its street lights and proximity to the highway and roundabout. He said there “is no question” its character and amenity is “peri-urban”.

He also noted the concern from some submitters of the effect of a McDonald’s on Mt Iron, the adjacent Outstanding Natural Feature (ONF). 

Mt Iron is an ONF because of “its size and power and presence and aura”, despite the development around it, he said.

“It is not realistic that [a 450sqm McDonald’s] … will have any meaningful effect on the ONF behind it.”

Jeremy’s team covered engineering, planning and landscape issues throughout the day. One said a site at Three Parks had been considered, but this was “in the back blocks” of Wānaka and the business would struggle to see itself anywhere in that development.

He referred to McDonald’s as having “a positive impact on communities” through community connection, food sourcing and quality, the planet, and providing jobs.

“We are committed to being a really responsible member of our community,” he said.

Commissioners Lisa Mein, Helen Atkins (chair), and Robert Scott. PHOTO: Wānaka App 

Jeremy also noted the “state of flux” of the site’s status, including the fact the developers of Mt Iron Junction currently have a proposal on the government’s fast-track approvals projects list to develop 263 high density houses on the site - a significant change from their previous plans for worker accommodation.

Read more: Higher density housing planned for Mt Iron Junction

The hearing is scheduled for four days, and a Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) spokesperson told the Wānaka App it won’t know the likely date of a decision until the end of the hearing.

Chair Helen Atkins said the commissioners would hear from submitters on Tuesday (November 26), while on Wednesday they will hear from more submitters and QLDC officers.

Of 366 submissions received on the proposal, 339 opposed it. A QLDC planner has also recommended the resource consent application be refused.

Read more:

• Locals have say as McDonald’s hearing looms
• Unhappy meal? Submissions overwhelmingly reject Wānaka McDonald's
• Maccas proposal vetoed by QLDC planner