Battle between homes and traffic
Queenstown’s district council will make a now-or-never decision on the fate of 579 much-needed homes today, but residents fear the developments will add to frustrating traffic congestion.
The homes are proposed across three subdivisions on the Ladies Mile, on State Highway 6, between Queenstown and Cromwell.
There has already been intensive development on the southern side of the highway with the number of homes at Lake Hayes Estate, Shotover Country and the Queenstown Country Club now greater than the number in nearby Arrowtown, which had more than
1300 dwellings according to the
2013 census.
The Queenstown Lakes District Council has signalled it believes the area on the north of the road is suitable for future development and has prepared a masterplan allowing for another 1100 homes.
Projections show Queenstown will need 10,050 new homes to cope with the expected population growth over the next 30 years.
Today, the council will have a final chance to decide whether to proceed with 579 homes proposed under the Special Housing Act, as the legislation will be repealed by Government in September.
However, existing residents are fighting against the developments because of concerns they will exacerbate traffic problems.
Residents can wait 30 minutes just to get onto the main highway at peak times.
Lake Hayes Estate and Shotover Country Community Association chairman Clark Pirie said the council was in a difficult position with the SHA legislation about to be repealed.
However, a report to the council suggested traffic congestion would have to get worse before funding to improve it would be made available, he said.
‘‘That’s not fair on the community and even then there’s no guarantee it will get better.’’
Council infrastructure committee chairwoman Alexa Forbes said the only way to solve the area’s transport problems was to increase its density.