Worker village and roading fix proposed

Wanaka’s first workers’ village and a fix to a notoriously dangerous highway intersection is part of a large-scale development on the outskirts of Wanaka.

Mt Iron Junction Ltd has lodged a resource consent application with Queenstown Lakes District Council for a proposed mixed-use development on 6 hectares of unused land at the base of Wanaka’s Mt Iron, bounded by State Highways 6 and 84.

The development, Mt Iron Junction, includes terraced housing in the form of 17 two-and three-bedroom two-storey villas, as well as Wanaka’s first dedicated workers’ village with accommodation and amenities for up to 90 seasonal and longterm working residents.

Co-director Steve Schikker, who owns Racers Edge – a ski rental and bike shop in Wanaka – said it was difficult for seasonal workers to find accommodation.

‘‘For us, we had to buy a house as a business to put our workers in.’’

Providing purpose-built and energyefficient workers’ accommodation would give people a place to live and free up houses in town for families, he said.

A major aspect of the development is a five-way roundabout that would improve road safety at the SH6/SH84/Riverbank Road intersections and connect the town’s existing roading network. New cycleways and walkways to link Albert Town and Wanaka will be built.

‘‘Everybody has been concerned about that roundabout for a long time. It’s really dangerous. For every accident, there is probably 10 near misses.’’

Commercial development includes an upscale motel, a childcare centre, a service station, a mini-golf course and a retail area.

‘‘Taking the service station out of town is a key part of the development. There is no need for big trucks and boats to be going through the CBD to fill up with gas.’’