The gift of land for affordable housing by a Wanaka developer is deserving of high praise from the Queenstown Lakes District community, QLDC chief executive Duncan Field said.

"We are delighted to be able to announce that the Infinity Investment Group has voluntarily agreed to provide land at both Peninsula Bay and the proposed Riverside development at Albert Town for the purpose of constructing affordable housing," QLDC chief executive Duncan Field said.

The Council and Infinity Investment Group last week signed stakeholder agreements for both subdivisions.

The Riverside development would see the equivalent of 12-14 sections earmarked for affordable housing, while at Peninsula Bay; the equivalent of 6-10 lots would be contributed.

Infinity's generosity followed on from a voluntary 5 percent contribution made by Jacks Point, which will eventually see a contribution of 34 lots in that new development situated beneath the Remarkables Mountain Range.

"We are reliant on the good will of developers and it is tremendous to see that Infinity, like Jacks Point has supported this Council initiative and made provision for this important community project," Mr Field said.

Infinity chief executive, Bob Robertson, said the need for more affordable housing had been a pressing issue for the Wanaka community for some time.

"Infinity is a strong believer in supporting the communities in which we live and work and we felt we had a responsibility to contribute to the Council's affordable housing project," Mr Robertson said.

"The combined amount of lots now set aside for affordable housing in the district is potentially 58 sections," Mr Field said.

The sections, which are mixed throughout the subdivisions, will be not be discernable as affordable housing.

"The details will be managed by our yet to be confirmed Community Housing Trust but one of the criteria is that the housing must follow the same design guidelines applied to any other house in the area. These will be stylish, integrated properties," Mr Field said.

ENDS

For further information please contact Bob Robertson (03) 443 0088 or Duncan Field (03) 441 0499.

By: Sarah