An Australian businessman is increasing his Wanaka supply of short-term visitor accommodation with a proposal to build an eight-suite visitor accommodation complex on the corner of Chalmers and Brownston Streets.

Duffy Krook, who owns at least three apartment blocks and half a dozen residential houses in Wanaka (all managed as short-term visitor accommodation) has submitted a resource consent application for four semi-detached buildings, together comprising a 20 room complex for a maximum of 40 people, at 5 Chalmers Street, below Wanaka’s lookout and war memorial.

Duffy, the sole director of Varina Pty Ltd, first sought resource consent for the development in 2010.

The proposal is likely to have “more than minor” adverse effects on some neighbours, a council report says. PHOTO: Wanaka App

The area is zoned high density residential and is within the recently decided medium density residential/Wanaka town centre transition overlay zone.

The proposed development breaches a number of standards (for example it would exceed the maximum building coverage of 45 per cent by 5.5 per cent), but both the applicant and the council consider the development will not cause any adverse effects that are “more than minor”.

However, Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) senior planner Sarah Gathercole has recommended the application be processed on a limited-notified basis, given adverse effects from construction noise and vibration effects on Brownston Street neighbours Craig and Wendy Sheppard and Philip Bloxham would be “more than minor”.

A hearing on the consent is scheduled for January 15.