Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) has begun the process to sell the last remaining slice of council-owned land at Scurr Heights.

The sale of the bulk of the site in 2016 raised $15.6M for the Wānaka Reserve Asset Fund, to be used to fund capital expenditure which benefits the residents of the Wānaka ward. 

Councillors confirmed the proceeds from the sale of the remaining 1.8 hectares would go to the same asset fund when they made the decision to sell it earlier this month.

“We’re in the very early stages of procuring a real estate firm to assist with the sale of this property off Ironside Drive,” a QLDC representative told the Wānaka App this week.

“This is likely to take several months and, once completed, will help inform council on the most appropriate approach for marketing and selling the property.”

The value of the medium density residential zoned site - which is adjacent to Wānaka Primary School - was kept under wraps during the meeting when councillors agreed to approve its sale.

Council fetched $15.6M for a much larger 10.69 hectare slice back in 2016, but Wānaka property values have risen significantly since.

Whatever its value, it will provide a welcome boost to the Wānaka Asset Reserve Fund, which is now valued at around $3.4M after portions were used to help fund things like the Wānaka Recreation Centre swimming pool, the purchase of Mt Iron Recreation Reserve, and work on the new Luggate Hall.

Councillors had floated a handful of ideas for the land before the decision to sell it was made, which included putting a portion aside for social housing for the elderly, and making developers’ proposals conditional on providing public access.

In the end the decision was made to put it for sale on the open market without any special conditions.

The QLDC representative said early indications suggest the land could be “ready to market” by spring.

PHOTO: Wānaka App