The Queenstown Lakes District Council has reopened public feedback for the re-establishment and extension of the Gorge Road Special Housing Area.

The existing Gorge Road Business Mixed Use Zone (Gorge Road) Special Housing Area (SHA) is due to expire on 23 June 2017. As a result of discussions with a number of landowners and developers, Council believes there would be a benefit in re-establishing and extending the SHA to try and encourage landowners/developers to build houses or apartment buildings (including those aimed at worker accommodation). The proposed re-establishment of the SHA would mean that it would not expire until 16 September 2019.

The Gorge Road SHA is be a little different to others that are already approved because the request to create the proposed SHA is coming from the Council and applies to multiple properties rather than from one private landowner.

The proposed SHA will incorporate the same area as the previously agreed SHA, with the addition of 133 Hallenstein Street and Warren Park. 133 Hallenstein Street is located in the High Density Residential Zone of the Proposed District Plan and directly adjoins the Business Mixed Use Zone (Gorge Road) and as such is of obvious interest to developers. Warren Park is currently vested as a reserve and there are no current plans for its use other than as a reserve.

While the Housing Accords and Special Housing Areas Act 2013 doesn’t provide for formal consultation on the establishment of special housing areas, QLDC’s elected members are interested to hear local views on the extension of this SHA.

More information and an online feedback form is available here

Feedback closes at 5pm on 22 May 2017.

ENDS