Public input sought on SHA

THE developer of a special housing area (SHA) on the outskirts of Lake Hawea will look to the community for ideas on how to improve its ‘‘integration’’ with the existing township.

Instead of recommending the 400lot development to the Government earlier this month, the Queenstown Lakes District Council ordered more negotiation and consultation.

It postponed making a decision until December, prompted by Arrowtown councillor Scott Stevens’ concerns over how well the SHA was integrated into ‘‘the fabric’’ of the Lake Hawea community.

Developer Lane Hocking, of Universal Developments, told the Otago Daily Times this week he was waiting for the council to come up with a meeting date and an agenda for discussions.

But, he said, the first thing he needed was to know what was meant by ‘‘integration’’.

‘‘To us, integration is how the SHA connects through to existing Hawea and we’re also willing to listen to suggestions the Hawea Community Association has.

‘‘We’re comfortable our expression of interest and deed [of agreement with the council] covered integration very well but of course we are happy to go through it again, and in more detail.’’

Asked if he might walk away from the development, Mr Hocking said ‘‘absolutely not’’.

‘‘I am totally committed to this project. I’ve had people turn up at my home saying ‘how do we get one of these house and land packages? We can’t afford anything in the district’.’’

Opponents of the development claim demand has not been proven, as required by the Housing Accords and Special Housing Areas Act 2013.