By Tracey Roxburgh
A long-mooted arterial route for Queenstown has been approved for a fast-tracked consent and work could start on the multimillion-dollar project before the end of the year.
Queenstown Lakes Mayor Jim Boult expects work on a major roading project will begin by the end of 2021. Photo: RNZ / Belinda McCammon
Queenstown Lakes Mayor Jim Boult described the government's decision as "absolutely marvellous''.
Boult said consent could be granted "in a couple of months'' and work would "definitely'' be under way by year-end.
Last year the government announced it would contribute $50 million to the first stage of the three-stage project - providing a link from Melbourne St to, essentially, Shotover St, taking pressure off Frankton Rd.
The total cost of the project is estimated to be at least $150m.
The completed road will link to the Queenstown-Glenorchy Rd intersection, bypassing the CBD and reducing congestion.
Environment Minister David Parker said traffic congestion had been a "long-standing problem" for Queenstown.
"This project will help future-proof the city and contribute to a much safer, more climate-friendly transport network,'' he said.
It would include cycling and walking connections.
Boult expected the first stage to take about three years.
The second stage would require the demolition of the Queenstown Memorial Centre, which also houses the resort's Returned and Services' Association, the Queenstown Squash Club and the Wakatipu Rugby Club.
Consultation had already started with users but in respect of the memorial centre, Boult said it "will not see a bulldozer until we have a replacement built''.
Project consultants expected the bypass road to provide 477 direct fulltime equivalent job opportunities and 702 indirect job opportunities during the construction phase.
Parker said the project met the requirements under the fast-track consenting process by getting people into jobs, supporting the transition to low emissions and boosting local economies.
The Covid-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act 2020 was one of the government's levers to boost employment and speed up infrastructure development in response to the economic impacts of Covid-19.
The decision took 67 working days from the time the application was lodged with the Environmental Protection Authority, which was significantly faster than the time it took for a similar consent under the Resource Management Act consenting process.
This story first appeared in the Otago Daily Times