Photo: 123RF
A proposal to rezone land near Queenstown for higher density housing is open for community feedback.
Queenstown Lakes District Council has notified a variation to rezone close to 120 hectares of existing rural, rural lifestyle, and large lot residential land in Te Pūtahi Ladies Mile Corridor.
The proposal will enable roughly 2400 residential units with a mix of apartments and duplexes, open spaces, community facilities and a new commercial centre.
Housing is a significant challenge for the Queenstown Lakes with people sleeping in tents and cars due to a lack of rentals.
The council's planning and development acting general manager, David Wallace, said the housing types proposed include very little standalone housing to ensure the land was well utilised and met the needs of their residents.
"Housing is one of the biggest challenges our community faces, and at the same time, it lies at the heart of creating secure, connected and caring communities, creating jobs and a diverse economy," Wallace said.
"Council's proposed variation for Te Pūtahi Ladies Mile is one way in which we can help to address Queenstown's pressing housing needs, and in a way that reflects the diversity of residents we need to support economic growth without impacting negatively on the environment."
The zone would also focus on public transport and active options to help shift how people move around the Whakatipu Basin, the council said.
The government has approved a council application to streamline the planning process.
Submissions close on 9 June with more information available on the council's district plan website.