Development could change entrance to Wanaka
THE main entrance to Wanaka could be in for a dramatic change if a proposed $20 million to $30 million development is approved.
Steve Schikker, of Wanaka, and Peter Greene, of Christchurch, who are directors of Mt Iron Junction Ltd, have applied to the Queenstown Lakes District Council for resource consent for a development at the intersection of State Highways 6 and 84.
Not only would the 5.83ha site be used for a village for up to 90 seasonal and longterm workers but it would also allow for a new doublelane roundabout to be built.
The company’s master plan suggests two stages, with the first involving a Caltex service station, nine worker residential units, 17 two or threebedroom terrace houses, a childcare centre and mini golf facility.
The second stage would establish a motel and commercial precinct.
The development hinges on the construction of a new roundabout to replace a complex and troublesome intersection between Wanaka and the highway to Albert Town, Lake Hawea and the West Coast.
In its application, the company said it was collaborating with the New Zealand Transport Agency and its roading design team to finalise a design for the roundabout.
Construction would be the responsibility of the NZTA and it would be operational prior to work beginning on the rest of the development.
‘‘NZTA has advised that they would not support any new single access points to the state highway network for this development,’’ the application said.
‘‘Therefore, a new roundabout provides the only option for vehicle access to the site.’’
It notes the roundabout also required a ‘‘significant upfront infrastructure investment’’ by the developers.
Mr Schikker operates the Racer’s Edge rental and retail business.
He told the Otago Daily Times yesterday that the roundabout would alleviate a lot of congestion at the intersection, which was already at capacity.
He believed incorporating the entrance to Riverbank Rd into the new layout would take some of the pressure off Ballantyne Rd as a bypass to Wanaka.
Mr Schikker said he often had trouble securing accommodation for his seasonal staff, ‘‘so a purposebuilt, worker accommodation village is going to be a big thing for Wanaka’’.
He also had an agreement with Caltex, which would shift from its existing site in central Wanaka, reducing the number of vehicles towing boats and caravans entering the town.
And, he believed removing the pine trees on the site would make Mt Iron more prominent for those arriving in town.
‘‘Wanaka needs something better than a deer fence and heap of pines.
‘‘The pines are 30ft high; a building is not going to be 30ft high.
‘‘The views to Mt Iron are going to be quite spectacular coming from Hawea and from Luggate . . . aesthetically it will look good.’’
Construction would begin ‘‘as soon as practicable, subject to the required consents’’, he said.