New Zealand’s Queenstown Lakes district ski resort upgrades are one step closer with the government announcing projects listed on their new fast-track development pathways.
The Remarkables plan to expand into the adjacent Doolans Basin isn’t new, but it is at least progressing forward as one of the fast-track projects should the Fast Track Approvals Bill be passed later this year.
NZ Ski’s Coronet Village proposal is also on the pathway project list. The plan is to build a new alpine village below Coronet Peak with a gondola providing access to the ski field. The village will include ski area development and a 780 unit subdivision.
The Cardrona Ski Gondola and Ski Area Development proposal hopes to build on-mountain visitor accommodation and a high speed lift system between Cardrona Valley and Cardrona including the expanded Soho Basin area.
The Bill is likely to be passed at the end of this year, and relevant listed proposals will then apply for an expert panel assessment with the Environmental Protection Authority.
These three projects are just one of nine listed by the Government for the Queenstown Lakes District including a number of housing project subdivisions. The Hills golf course near Arrowtown is to be redeveloped for accommodation and new golf course and 263 high density residential units in Wanaka as part of the Mt Iron Junction housing project.
Not everyone in the region is happy with the fast track announcement with the Malaghans Valley Protection Society voicing concerns for the new Coronet Village.
Meanwhile Wanaka and Queenstown rely mainly on Dunedin Hospital for extreme injuries, but the proposed upgrade of Dunedin Hospital has been downgraded with a serious backlash including a 35,000 people protest march last month.
