Silverlight Studios has been granted an extra five years to ‘give effect’ to both its film park and the workers’ accommodation the company plans to build on its 332ha site near Wānaka Airport. When the film park project was approved in December 2021 under the Covid-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act, decision documents suggested the project would move quickly. Bulk earthworks could begin in 2022, those documents said, while construction of sound stages, an ‘Italian village’ and a ‘seaside village' could take place in 2023, with the Paris replica set to be built in 2024.Two years later, with no signs of construction on-site, Silverlight Studios has secured extensions until March 2029.The extension applies to both the film park (55ha of development featuring studios, production offices, a film school, a screening theatre, and an exhibition centre) and the 300 residential units for workers’ accommodation.Fast-track consents have a default duration to lapse within two years, but local councils can grant extension periods.Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) resource consents manager Fiona Blight said the company had made “substantial progress” on the film park.The company has completed detailed design work for some of the sound stage buildings and sets and bulk earthworks, prepared environmental management plans for earthworks, liaised with QLDC’s building department and finance department, and undertaken geotechnical investigations, she said.It has also had discussions with construction companies for the project.The film park could cost as much as $280M to construct. Silverlight Studios was approached for comment.IMAGE: Silverlight Studios

The findings from Wastebusters’ 2023 Resourceful Communities survey, released on Friday (September 22), highlight an increase in secondhand shopping, and reduce/reuse behaviours holding strong despite cost of living being a key cause of concern.For a third year, Wastebusters asked people about the barriers that stop them reusing and reducing waste. Survey respondents ranked price as the number one factor that influenced their consumers choices (up from third most influential factor in 2021), followed by healthy choices and environmental impact (both down one ranking).Wastebusters project manager Sophie Ward said there was a notable upturn in the frequency of secondhand shopping (68 percent always or usually shop secondhand first, compared to 55 percent in 2021), with many respondents appreciating how Wastebusters helped them shop secondhand first.“It’s heartening to see that despite the challenges posed by the cost of living crisis, the majority of people are still choosing to reuse and reduce,” Sophie said. The survey found an upward trend in those always or usually choosing reusable period products, with an increase of 36 percent in the 25-34 age bracket and up 40 percent for 35-44 year olds since 2021. Other behaviours remained positive, with 95 percent always or usually using their own drink bottle (compared to 92 percent in 2021 and 93 percent in 2019) or buying fruit/vegetables unpackaged (87 percent compared to 88 percent in 2021 and 87 percent in 2019).“We’ve also seen this high involvement in sustainable actions across Wastebusters’ zero waste campaigns. In the last year, 2,500 people have come along to our community events to engage and learn about low waste living, home composting, repair and slow fashion,” Sophie said.This year the survey asked participants what encouraged or facilitated their reuse behaviours. The survey found incentivisation a key factor; people want to be encouraged to reuse and bring their own containers, whether through shop signage or discounted products. As part of Plastic Free July this year, Wastebusters provided a number of hospitality outlets with BYO cup/container posters which may have contributed to the 10 percent increase in people considering taking a BYO container for takeaway food.There is a clear need for accessible alternatives such as a cup/container lending scheme to help overcome barriers to reuse, Sophie said, with ‘I forgot my cup’, ‘I didn’t plan ahead’ or ‘BYO not an option’ the most common barriers cited again this year.“We also found that people really wanted to reduce their daily impact and they cited numerous areas they wanted to learn more about,” she said.“It’s more important than ever to provide our communities with ways to connect, interact and feel inspired to take positive action.”Topics included learning more about food, recycling, advocacy, shopping, repairs, and creating a sustainable home environment.“Thanks to all who responded to the survey,” Sophie said. “The information we gathered will be incredibly helpful for us to develop zero waste programmes specifically designed for our communities.”For more information, read the summary and full survey report.PHOTO: Supplied

Big-box retailer The Warehouse will open the doors to its Wānaka store on October 12. The Warehouse, plus Noel Leeming and Warehouse Stationery, have been under construction at Three Parks for the past year or so and the opening day will feature free cupcakes, goody bags and special deals. “We’re extremely excited to open our new store to the Wānaka community and [save] everyone a trip over the Crown Range,” The Warehouse Wānaka store manager Pascal Maeder said. The Warehouse is well-known for offering a range of everyday goods; Noel Leeming supplies tech, whiteware and appliances; and Warehouse Stationery has office supplies.Warehouse Group chief store operations officer Ian Carter said 65 team members have been employed across the new stores, most of whom live locally.“We’ve got a fantastic team who are busy preparing the store for opening on October 12 and are really looking forward to welcoming customers instore,” he said. Ian said The Warehouse was pleased to offer a full pantry and grocery range in the Wānaka store.“We offer… essentials at the same price across the country, like $3 for two litres of milk. “We’re also incredibly proud of our own-brand, Market Kitchen, giving customers more choice on products like butter, coffee, flour, pastas, oats and rice.”Customers will be able to drop off soft plastics for recycling at The Warehouse as well as e-waste, mobile phones and used ink and toner cartridges at Noel Leeming.The traditional Warehouse sausage sizzle fundraisers will also start right away.A four-day fundraiser for Wānaka’s Toy Library, Riding for the Disabled, Scouts Group and Parents and Friends of Mount Aspiring College taking place for four days from opening day.On opening day, ribbon cutting will take place at 8.30am as the doors open and the first 300 customers (200 for The Warehouse and 100 for Noel Leeming) will get free cupcakes and goody bags.The Warehouse will be open from 8.30am-8pm every day and Noel Leeming will be open from 9am-5pm.PHOTOS: Wānaka App

More than 260 sites owned by The Warehouse Group are set to be powered by solar farms as the group inks a long-term agreement with Lodestone Energy.The agreement will apply to all sites where The Warehouse Group purchases electricity directly, including those occupied by The Warehouse, Warehouse Stationery, Noel Leeming, Torpedo7 stores and its distribution centres and store support offices.Working with a retail service provider, Lodestone Energy will implement metering and billing techniques to enable the company's solar farm production to offset the demand of The Warehouse Group's stores from Kaitaia to Invercargill.The Warehouse Group chief executive Nick Grayston said the company aimed to reach zero emissions in its operations by 2040."Moving to solar electricity will help us achieve this goal years in advance," Grayston said."We'll gradually transition our Aotearoa New Zealand sites to Lodestone Energy solar farms and by the end of December 2026, we anticipate we'll have eliminated close to 100 percent of all our New Zealand electricity emissions," he said."This will avoid around 5300 tonnes of CO2 emissions a year."PHOTO: Supplied / Lodestone EnergyLodestone Energy managing director Gary Holden said the agreement would deliver flexibility, with a competitive pricing structure for The Warehouse Group via an innovative path for power purchase agreements."The Warehouse Group's operational hours are a great match for solar energy," Holden said."When their stores are at their busiest, the sun's energy is at its peak," he said."With the sophistication of the New Zealand market, this arrangement is akin to locating solar panels on top of The Warehouse Group sites but at a lower cost, with faster deployment and without the limitation of the physical space of a rooftop."

Global drinks business International Beverage announced on Wednesday ( September 13) that it had acquired Cardrona Distillery.The acquisition includes the Cardrona Distillery and visitor centre plus Cardrona’s portfolio of super-premium brands including Cardrona single malt whisky, The Reid Vodka, The Source Gin and the Rose Rabbit liqueurs.“This is a momentous day for our business,” Cardrona Distillery founder Desiree Reid said.“On behalf of myself and the whole team, I am delighted to welcome International Beverage as the new owner of the Cardrona Distillery.”International Beverage said in a statement that it will focus on investment in the purpose-built distillery site to maximise the potential of Cardrona’s brands in the core New Zealand, UK and USA markets. They will also deploy International Beverage’s global network to build select new routes to market.Desiree will remain with the company in the role of managing director. She said Cardrona Distillery had been looking for an investor to support the company's international growth for some time.“We found that partner in International Beverage, a world-class group of spirits businesses who own some of the whisky distilleries we most admire including Pulteney, Speyburn, Knockdhu and Balblair,” she said.“It has been a 12-year journey to reach this point, and we are so proud of the great whisky foundation laid in the Cardrona Valley.”International Beverage managing director Malcolm Leask said he was delighted to have the Cardrona team join the business.“The team has done an excellent job in building Cardrona’s super-premium brands to date with so much integrity, quality and potential for the future,” he said. “We are very much looking forward to working with them to build on their success within our international network, as we strengthen our premium spirits portfolio for the global market.”Cardrona Distillery opened in December 2015.PHOTO: Cardrona Distillery

The council’s proposed Urban Intensification Variation (UIV) not only proposes increased density and building heights in residential areas in the district, it could also mean “confronting changes” to Wānaka’s CBD.The variation was the subject of two drop-in sessions in Wānaka yesterday (Wednesday September 14). The UIV is an outcome of central government’s national policy statement on urban development (NPS-UD), which directs councils around the country to remove some planning rules and plan for growth ‘both up and out’.Read more: Urban intensification: Growth ‘up and out’ proposed The CBD height proposal could see the maximum height of buildings in the CBD increase from 12 metres to 16.5 metres.The Precinct on Helwick Street is currently the highest building in Wānaka’s CDB, at 12m tall. The Precinct is the highest building in the CDB at 12m.Adding another four and a half metres would equate to an additional storey, Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) planning policy manager Alyson Hutton“It’s the start of another bloody Queenstown,” said one resident at yesterday’s drop in session.The CBD height proposal is one of the more “dramatic and confronting” within the UIV, deputy mayor Quentin Smith told the Wānaka App.Alyson said the changes to the height limits in the CBD were intended to allow for different business types and even the potential for people to live in the CBD.Quentin said one question to assess is whether or not the existing height restriction in the CBD has put off developers.Wānaka’s Wanaka Central Business District Property Owners Group did not wish to comment on the proposals at this stage, but members of the group planned to attend yesterday’s drop-in sessions and discuss the issues before forming a view.The Wānaka App spoke to one retailer in the CBD who had owned a business there for 22 years. She said the height should remain the same to keep “the same feel [the CBD] has always had”.“There’s enough going on at Three Parks,” she said.Other proposals in the UIV for the CBD include relaxing and simplifying setback and sunlight access standards for sites that adjoin a residential zone; and new waste and recycling storage space, building height setback at upper floor, outlook space and minimum ground floor height standards.The main message coming from council staff and elected members was: “We want people to understand and submit on the proposal”, Quentin said.There is no more consultation planned in the Upper Clutha on the UIV.Submissions are open until September 21, and information about how to make a submission can be found here.PHOTOS: Wānaka App

Three Wānaka builders have taken the top spots at the Central South Island Registered Master Builders Apprentice of the Year 2023. The Apprentice of the Year competition recognises excellence among carpentry apprentices and the competition tests entrants’ project management, business, presentation, and practical skills. Craig Burke (who works for Bayview Construction) was named Apprentice of the Year, Sam Hoskins (Dunlop Builders) took second, and Jackson Reardon (CDL Building) earned third place.The three local winners and all other entrants had to submit a building project and take part in a two-hour practical challenge and, from there, the top 10 progressed to the interview stage with a judging panel and an onsite visit to discuss their project.Judges said Craig’s submission stood out and during the interview “he exuded confidence and presented himself well”.His site visit, on a new build, impressed the judges, and highlighted his “profound understanding” of the practical aspects of building."During the practical competition his time management skills and commitment to maintaining a tidy site were truly commendable,” judges said. “He also demonstrated a keen desire for knowledge by consistently seeking guidance and ensuring he stayed on the right track."As the regional winner, Craig will go on to compete in the national competition in Auckland on November 9.There he will take part in a 45-minute interview with the national judging panel and an additional six-hour practical skills test before the winner is announced at a national awards dinner.PHOTO: Supplied

National Party leader Christopher Luxon has ruled out a bed tax in the short term to fund Queenstown Lakes’ under-pressure infrastructure.Luxon was in Queenstown yesterday (September 7) to announce a host of new policies to boost the tourism industry and New Zealand economy.They include lifting the upper age for working holiday visas from 30 to 35 years, and allowing people to apply for a second and third work visa while worker shortages continue, while also removing the median wage requirement and fast-tracking applications.His party will task the proposed National Infrastructure Agency to work with councils to provide more funding to areas with high visitor numbers but low ratepayer bases, such as Queenstown Lakes.But, asked directly about whether the National Party supports a bed tax, or visitor levy, which Queenstown Lakes District Council is pushing for to pay for the infrastructure needed to cope with high tourism numbers, Luxon dismissed the plans."Look, the reality for us, in a cost of living crisis, that is not the right answer for New Zealand at this point in time," he says.Neither was an increase in the $35 International Visitor Levy the answer, although he said he would like to see the existing funds raised from it applied better.Instead, Luxon says National will work directly with councils on funding."I want central and local government working in a more constructive way. We've actually got to sit down with them and say 'what are the long investments that are needed in this sub-region of New Zealand'. That will be different here in Queenstown, from Hawke's Bay, from Northland to Southland to the West Coast."Let's actually identify what those projects are. We see that's the way the Brits work, the way the Australians work, so that we are actually getting long term planning in place . . . rather than band-aiding and supergluing stuff together..."On immigration, Luxon says removing the rule that employers must pay migrants 95 percent of the median wage, currently $29.66 per hour, would allow tourism businesses to "attract the staff they need at rates that reflect their skills and experience".Being able to renew work visas for a second and third time would enable NZ to compete with the likes of Australia and Canada."We want to be able to reach out and actually make New Zealand attractive again, as it once was."He believed that would enable businesses to attract "thousands or hopefully tens of thousands" of workers, paid good wages but without the cost barrier for businesses.Luxon said exploitation, highlighted in recent cases in NZ, could be avoided if "Immigration New Zealand was doing its job", pointing out that only 2 percent of businesses are audited."We do not want to see migrant exploitation in New Zealand. The images that we've all seen over the last six weeks in this country are things that we would see in other places, but never expect to see here in New Zealand."He was challenged by media on what increased migration might mean for Queenstown Lakes housing availability, where workers were already sleeping in cars.Luxon says National will increase the land available for housing by asking every council in the country to consent 30 years of housing growth."That's what many other countries do around the world. It's important that we have an infrastructure in New Zealand that's actually focused on a 30-year pipeline with decent projects properly defined like we see in Australia."Targeted rates would mean the costs were placed on the developments, rather than cross-subsidised from existing ratepayers."And what we're going to say to councils is 'if you build above your five year average, we will pay you $25k per consent, for every property that's built', to get councils participating in the benefits of growth."He reiterated National's previously announced policy to support landlords bringing more rentals to market, by enabling them to deduct mortgage interest from their taxes, and reducing the Bright Line test back to two years.And he highlighted the need to direct capital to good community housing providers, such as Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust, and also to encourage overseas capital to finance build-to-rent schemes."You need innovative housing solutions. So many countries around the world have build-to-rent projects and products that are available. Those are really good options for workers..."Last week, National announced plans to allow foreign buyers to buy houses in New Zealand again, with a 15 percent tax on properties over $2M going direct to the treasury. That would repeal the ban introduced by Parliament in 2018.Luxon says that would stimulate investment in NZ."I want to have a tech entrepreneur who wants to live six months in San Francisco and six months here in Queenstown, with an ability to buy a house, because that means they can actually make an investment, partner with a local New Zealand firm, build their knowledge, pass on their talent . . ."Luxon also announced plans to create a new 80km Great Walk in the South Island at Waiau – Toa/Molesworth, to co-invest $3M in e-bike chargers to electrifying the New Zealand Cycle Trail, and a $5M contestable fund for Regional Tourism Organisations, such as Destination Queenstown, to promote regional events.The total cost of the package of improvements will be $22M over four years. National will fund this from unallocated revenue from the International Visitor Levy.PHOTO: Queenstown App

The board of directors for Destination Southern Lakes, the new destination management organisation (DMO) for Queenstown and Wānaka, was announced yesterday (Thursday September 7).The DMO - the first of its kind in New Zealand - will oversee the implementation of the region’s destination management plan ‘Travel to a Thriving Future,’ which was endorsed by Queenstown Lakes District councillors in February.Travel to a Thriving Future sets out to ensure that tourism supports a thriving community – environmentally, socially, culturally and economically. Read more: New tourism plan adopted for districtThe plan is a partnership between Lake Wānaka Tourism (LWT), Destination Queenstown (DQ), and the Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC), with input from Kāi Tahu and the Department of Conservation.“The Queenstown Lakes District has the ambitious goal for the region’s visitor economy to be regenerative and carbon zero by 2030,” DQ chief executive Mat Woods said.“To meet that goal, we need to get underway with delivering the projects from the DMP. It’s great to have the governance in place for the DMO so now the RTOs, QLDC and other organisations can get going with delivering the projects.”The DMO will focus on delivery of destination management initiatives as an umbrella organisation for the two regional tourism organisations (DQ and LWT) and as an independent governance group it will oversee progress at a districtwide level.The DMO board members are Murray Strong (chair), AJ Millward, Dr Kate Meyer, Dean Fraser and Kristine Dunne. The chairs of DQ and LWT, Richard Thomas and Calum MacLeod, complete the board.Calum MacLeod PHOTO: Wānaka AppCalum, former QLDC deputy mayor and councillor, is the current chair of LWT. He has served on the Wānaka Community Board and is the founder and owner of Cinema Paradiso.

The Wānaka App has just released an update that improves the reader experience on iPad and tablet devices.The update means the Wānaka App is now responsive to the screen size, orientation, and display modes for iPads and tablets.“It is exciting to be able to bring a much-anticipated update for readers on larger devices,” Wānaka App co-owner Tony O’Regan said.“Approximately 10% of our 25,000 monthly readers use those devices, so it is nice to deliver them a better experience.”Tony said that readers on iPads and tablets will notice ‘a lot of improvement’.“The whole screen layout is designed for the device, which makes it easier to navigate and view,” he said.“Images will now be responsive to the device, and pages will respond to screen size with two and three-column layouts depending on the page.”Readers will know if they have the latest update as it includes a new Home button in the navigation menu.A new Home button is a feature of the latest updateIf readers do not see the Home button then they will need to go to the app store, search for the Wānaka App, and click Update.The Wānaka App launched in 2016 and has been consistently improved, including a completely new mobile app design, the addition of a web app (website) for desktop, and now full optimisation for iPad and tablet devices.More than 183,000 unique readers have engaged with the Wānaka App in the past 12 months recording 7.5M page views.If you have a question about this update please email [email protected]: Wānaka App

A local family business has earned recognition for excellence in flooring.Wanaka Wood Floors earned two awards at the Australasian Timber Flooring Association (ATA) Awards, held last weekend in Australia. Company owner Stephen Blackey said he was proud of the wins “in recognition of the craftsmanship and skill of our whole team, and the hard work put in by all”.Its awards included Contractor of the Year - the pinnacle award of the evening - and the Recycled Floor of the Year award.Recycled Floor of the Year was voted for by all members of ATFA, who chose Wānaka Wood Floors for their work on a recycled floor on a Wānaka property. The timber was supplied, installed and finished on site by the company to reflect the character of the old building, made into a guesthouse, Stephen said. The Contractor of the Year award was decided by a panel of industry experts, taking into account the aesthetics of finished jobs, skill and qualifications of staff and contractors, training by the company of staff and apprentices, and more.ATFA president Clayton Villars said the company’s wins were “an excellent result for New Zealand”.Wānaka Wood Floors has been in business in Wānaka for over 20 years, working with architects, builders, interior designers, and homeowners. “We get to work on some very special projects and make ideas into beautiful unique floors,” Stephen said.PHOTO: Supplied

Lake Wānaka Tourism (LWT) has been recognised at the Mumbrella Travel Marketing Awards for its short films.‘Way South’, a short film directed by Ben Jae for LWT, narrowly missed out on the ‘Award for Bravery and Innovation’ win but received a highly commended accolade.Way South aims to “edge a little bit closer towards a future that is truly inclusive”.“With a cast all representative of the LGBTQI+ community and the wonderful tapestry that is Aotearoa, Way South is a small but important step towards making the minority a majority way of thinking for the travel industry,” LWT marketing and communications manager Gizelle Regan said. LWT also received highly commended in the ‘Best Brand Partnership’ category for their work with Monster Children Group on their Short Film Awards.  Gizelle said the work with Monster Children gives aspiring filmmakers “the opportunity to tell stories of substance”.“This year the theme is regeneration; supporting all the work we are undertaking in this space to bring awareness to, and the immediate need for climate, and cultural conservation”.  Mumbrella Travel Marketing Awards is Australasia’s only dedicated travel marketing awards.The competition attracts hundreds of entries from top PR, media and marketing agencies, with the top performers making it to a shortlist before judging by a panel of industry experts. Gizelle said the recognition in two categories is testament to the calibre and the importance of the work delivered over the past 12 months.PHOTO: Supplied

New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty (NZSIR) has announced its acquisition of First National Real Estate Wānaka.The acquisition brings together the NZSIR and First National teams, working out of the First National premises on Ardmore Street.“We have been looking for a prime location to house our Wānaka team and future proof our business in the local market,” NZSIR co-founder and managing director Julian Brown said.“It was not only an ideal location and building for us to move into, but to purchase the business from Quentin Landreth and to amalgamate the First National team with our existing NZSIR Wānaka team is very exciting.”Former First National Wānaka director Quentin Landreth said the acquisition sees him shifting to sales full-time. “This was a fantastic opportunity to merge the skills, experience and in-depth local knowledge of our team with the power of a global real estate company,” he said. “Our focus has always been on delivering a first-class experience when buying and selling property in Wānaka and we are delighted to now be part of a premium, innovative brand that shares those values.”The First National office is in the process of being rebranded to NZSIR and approximately 22 staff will work from the new office, including 16 real estate agents. NZSIR launched in Queenstown in 2005, where its national headquarters remains.PHOTO: Supplied

Queenstown Airport Corporation (QAC) has hinted at future plans for its Wānaka land in its draft masterplan, which was made public yesterday (May 24).The airport corporation owns 148.5 hectares of land adjacent to Wānaka Airport which is zoned rural and currently leased for farming activities and to NASA for their super pressure balloon launches.QAC said while it does not currently have plans for further development of the land it is considering its options.“We will continue to monitor demand for land surrounding Wānaka Airport and investigate opportunities to increase our returns based on consentable activities,” QAC said in the draft masterplan.“Sustainable development initiatives, including renewable energy activities, will be actively investigated and will play an important role in making the best use of this land.”The draft masterplan, which is now out for public consultation, proposes a series of infrastructure improvements at Queenstown Airport over the next decade under a $300M capital investment programme.It says QAC has not dedicated any capital expenditure in the financial forecast for the development of non-aero-nautical land holdings - like the Wānaka land.“Development of our non-aeronautical land holdings will only proceed when feasibility studies demonstrate appropriate commercial returns on a stand-alone basis will be achievable over time.”A significant proportion of the capital expenditure is expected to be invested in a terminal upgrade at Queenstown Airport. The terminal’s capacity for passenger movements is 2.2M per annum and the plan forecasts passenger movements to increase 100% over the next 10 years to 3.211M“We are proposing an extension to the terminal to make the best use of the current footprint and greatly improve the experience for those travelling, meeting and farewelling, and working at the airport,” QAC CEO Glenn Sowry said.Glenn SowryKey projects proposed in the draft masterplan include:extending and modernising the Queenstown terminalcreating better passenger flow and land transport connections, prioritising active and public transport networksrelocating general aviation activities away from the main residential area of Frankton, with helicopters consolidated north of the runway and fixed-wing aircraft in a new precinct south of the runwayconstructing a parallel taxiway to improve the efficiency of the airfield and to reduce emissions on the ground and in the airconstructing an extra aircraft parking standenhancing the safety of the runway by installing new technology, with engineered materials arresting systems (EMAS) at each endbuilding a new base for the Airport Emergency Service.The draft plan forecasts revenue to grow 228 percent over the next 10 years to $118M and QLDC’s dividend to increase from $2.3M this year to $14.8M in 2032.Public consultation on the draft masterplan is open until June 23 and is being done in partnership with the Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC). More information about the plan and consultation process can be found here on Queenstown Airport’s website. Pop-up information sessions will also be held at public locations around the district over the next month. QAC is a Council Controlled Trading Organisation (CCTO) owned 75.01 percent by QLDC and 24.99 percent by Auckland International Airport Limited.PHOTO: Supplied

The Wānaka Airport Users Group (WAUG) says an independent survey of its members reveals that businesses based at Wānaka Airport generate $69.6M in revenue and employ 147 people in full time positions. The survey, conducted over summer, asked all private pilots, aircraft owners and businesses at the airport to confidentially share information about their activities. The information released said there are 713 suppliers (many local) providing goods and services to businesses at the airport; the combined annual salary paid by businesses based at Wānaka Airport to local employees is $9.3M; the estimated value of the 65 commercial aircraft based at the airport is $57M; there is a combined total of 1,594 years of flying experience among pilots at Wānaka Airport; and nearly three quarters of the businesses based at the airport are “confidently projecting growth”.WAUG chair Don Grant said the numbers are indicative of a “vibrant and growing” community of commercial businesses and private users at the airport. Inside airport maintenance hangar Twenty24.“Our community airport has grown over many decades, and has become a vibrant hub for commercial and private aviation,” he said.“Everyone knows about Warbirds Over Wānaka, which is a fabulous event, but there is also a lot more going on out here every day. “It’s clear that the activity at the airport has tangible benefits back into the Wānaka community. As well as all the private aviation, we have a broad range of aviation related businesses, including flight training schools, engineering businesses and other aircraft experts.”Don said the group wanted to help people understand the scale and value of “what goes on in the hangars” at the airport. “On the aircraft maintenance side alone, each year there are hundreds of aircraft maintained by businesses at this airport. There are also hundreds of people who have learnt to fly helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft here.”The group has launched the survey results and other information on a new website about Wānaka Airport.It also plans to launch a digital history of Wānaka Airport, dating right back to “the first planes to land here, long before it was an airport”.The group’s announcement was made just days before the expected release of the newly elected chair of the long-planned Wānaka Airport Liaison Committee. Read more: Long process to form airport liaison group still underwayThe Wānaka Airport Liaison Committee will have a wide ranging remit for Wānaka Airport that will touch on everything from airport development to environmental effects and will encourage collaboration between agencies.PHOTOS: Supplied

The company behind a proposal for a substantial mixed-use development on prime Ardmore Street land has submitted a new resource consent application. Wānaka Central JV Ltd’s original application sought consent for a 143-room hotel, 56 residential units, five retail spaces as well as seven food and beverage tenancies on a 5,100m2 site.Read more: Five-storey Ardmore Street development in the works Design plans for the proposed development have “improved considerably” in its second application, its architects say.The new plan still breaches the height restrictions for the Wānaka Town Centre-zoned site but the changes “have a material impact on the betterment of the design approach, massing and material selection,” architecture firm Cottee Parker said in application documents.The development site on Ardmore Street. PHOTO: Wānaka AppThe new application reduces the number of hotel rooms by 20, includes additional carparks, relocates the lobby to ground level and shifts a rooftop bar to a new location. These changes (alongside others including mansard-style room forms at the Ardmore Street frontage and a ‘cascading’ roof form) break down the “previous monolithic facade”, the architects said.The purchase of an additional site on Little Street provides another 554m2 and plan changes allow for vehicle access to the site from both Little Street and Monley Lane, plus a loading area.The development site is across the street from the Wānaka Hotel, another Ardmore Street property with expansion plans.Owners of the hotel have submitted a resource consent application for an expansion to the hotel which would add 21 guest rooms and suites as well as two new retail spaces.Read more: ‘Big plans for Wānaka’s oldest hotel’Both applications are being considered by Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC).

A new initiative designed to showcase the attractions of the South Island’s southern regions to tourists launched online on Tuesday May 9.The ‘Southern Way’ website aims to inspire visitors to slow down, explore further and stay longer in the southern destinations by sharing places of interest and a range of travel itineraries and experiences.Visit the website here.The $240K project is the result of a collaboration by eight southern Regional Tourism Organisations (RTOs) including Lake Wānaka Tourism and Destination Queenstown.It was funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Enterprise (MBIE) and managed by Great South.“We were tasked with taking a new approach towards inspiring visitors' travel patterns and it is exciting to see this project finally come to life,” Great South tourism general manager Mark Frood said.“We are proud to bring our regions together to offer truly awe-inspiring experiences for our visitors.”He said Southern Way was informed by the RTOS’ destination management plans, which encouraged a slower, more sustainable tourism experience.Destination Queenstown and Lake Wānaka Tourism unveiled their destination management plan earlier this year.Destination Queenstown managing director Sarah O’Donnell said Southern Way aligned with many of the district’s destination management plan’s goals.“Visitors don’t see local boundaries and encouraging people to move around between our regions, travel slowly, engage with our communities and explore further is another step towards our collective goal of welcoming a high-contributing and more sustainable visitor market,” she said.The project is the brainchild of the late Graham Budd (previously the CEO of Destination Queenstown) who initiated the proposal for the project, having had a long-held wish for regions to work more closely together.“It is a proud day for our combined regions to see Graham’s wishes come to life through this project,” Mark said. PHOTO: Southern Way

The future of the Winter Games NZ has been secured for the next five years with the government committing to support the event.  The government announced this morning (Saturday May 6) it is backing the competition through support from the Major Events Fund, a special fund to keep high profile events in New Zealand because of their long-term economic, social and cultural benefits.“Securing a five-year funding commitment from central government allows us to plan our future with certainty,” Winter Games NZ CEO, Marty Toomey said. “This funding support will allow us to showcase Aotearoa New Zealand to the world through epic content captured during the biggest snow sports programme we have ever delivered.”The Minister for Sport and Recreation Hon Grant Robertson said the funding will ensure Kiwi snow sport athletes can compete in a significant competition in front of a home audience, which supports the athletes and inspires future talent.“The competition in Central Otago aligns strongly with Sport NZ and High-Performance Sport NZ strategies and is critical to our campaign planning and preparation for the Winter Olympics,” he said. “I am proud that organisers and athletes can now look forward to a great competition.” Economic Development Minister Barbara Edmonds said the government will contribute up to $6M from the Major Events Fund to support the Winter Games between 2023 and 2027, providing long-term confidence to organisers and commercial partners.“Proudly Kiwi, the Winter Games NZ is a homegrown event,” Barbara said.  "Winter Games NZ attracts between 500 and 600 athletes and generates an influential international following. It will support the region’s post-Covid-19 recovery and generate a number of new economic and social and cultural opportunities.The Winter Games was first held in 2009 and has grown to become the largest annual snow sports event in the Southern Hemisphere.  The 2023 event will run from August 25 to September 16 and includes Freeski, Snowboard, Alpine Ski racing and Freeride events. Further events and a full schedule are expected to be confirmed soon.PHOTO: Supplied

The lessee of three local campgrounds is assuring locals and campground users that the classic Kiwi camping experience at Glendhu Bay Motor Camp, Wānaka Lakeview Holiday Park, and Albert Town Camping Ground will be preserved even if a new lessee takes over.The proposed sale of the camping ground leases to an Australian buyer has been kept under wraps for months as the sale goes through the Overseas Investment Office (OIO) process, however locals have had word of the sale and expressed concerns about potential changes to the campgrounds.CCR Ltd currently holds the leases for the three campgrounds (on land owned by Queenstown Lakes District Council) and its directors include Wānaka residents Rudi and Aggie Sanders.Rudi and Aggie have been running campgrounds for 30 years and CCR has leased the three Upper Clutha campgrounds, as well as two in Queenstown, for nine years.Rudi told the Wānaka App he wanted to put people’s minds at ease over the proposed sale.“Glendhu Bay is going to be Glendhu Bay from now until the rest of eternity. It’s a great, unique campsite and they [the proposed new owners] don’t want to change that.”The Glendhu Bay Motor Camp attracts hundreds of campers each year. He said CCR had been negotiating for the past year with the Australian buyer, “a family business with 55 or so holiday parks in Australia and which is looking at 10-15 holiday parks in New Zealand”.The Scaife family gifted the Glendhu Bay campground land in 1920 on the proviso it was to remain in perpetuity as “an affordable camp for everyday Kiwis”, and Rudi said it is enshrined in the lease document “that the experience in Albert Town and Glendhu Bay will be the classic Kiwi camping experience”.“For Aggie and me, and also our business partners in Queenstown, our drive was to make sure we could see people enjoying their time off in a beautiful setting. That’s always what gave us satisfaction, and that’s what gives the new owners satisfaction too.”Rudi said while he did not expect price increases, the lease requires any increase to be “reasonable”.Deputy mayor Quentin Smith told the Wānaka App that council controls on the lease will continue to exist, as would specific provisions within the Reserves Act and District Plan.“In many ways there’s no change,” he said, and if a new owner had different aspirations for the sites the same controls would be in place.“Clearly the community is concerned about a change to the camping experience, but there’s no indication at this point that that will happen.“Council will continue to do the right thing around managing those reserves with camping in mind. Glendhu Bay really is the ultimate expression of the postcard summer camping holiday in New Zealand, and that’s something we want to protect for residents of both the district and the country.”The lease sale remains with the OIO.PHOTOS: Wānaka App