The Aussie-based developer of a just-approved Queenstown worker accommodation complex is wasting no time getting on with it.
No.1 Hansen Rd Ltd was on Tuesday granted fast-track approval by an Environmental Protection Authority panel.
It was initially planned to house up to 710 workers in 554 units across eight separate apartment buildings.
But the plans drew opposition from several groups due to the scale and height in what’s considered outstanding natural landscape.
Subsequently, No.1 Hansen Rd director Eli Shellim lowered three of the buildings by one level, dropping them from four storeys to three, and reduced the number of rooms, while still able to accommodate the same number of residents.
It was enough to convince the fast-track panel to give the go-ahead.
Shellim tells Mountain Scene they’re ‘‘thrilled’’ to have 476 apartments approved.
‘‘It’s been a long and often arduous journey, but worth it, not only for us, but also for the wider Queenstown community.’’
He says he’s also ‘‘very proud’’ of his consultant team which was ‘‘agile and performed exceptionally well to meet the tough
timeframes and expectations placed on us over time’’.
Shellim’s aiming to get construction underway in October, having ‘‘pushed go’’ on construction documentation.
All going well, the first building will be open in the last quarter of next year.
Also in October they’ll start building another two floors above the company’s recently-completed carpark building, dubbed The Motor Club, which will house another 32 apartments for worker accommodation.
Shellim says they’re targeting an April 2025 completion date for those.
Meantime, he says they’re ‘‘happy to look at’’ softening one side of the development, against a cemetery, ‘‘and we will make sure that our architecture and landscaping is something Queenstown can be proud of’’.
‘‘As you know, Mason & Wales are renowned architects, and by having them on board it shows our commitment to develop an architecturally-sympathetic precinct with a strong sense of place.
‘‘The completed carpark [The Motor Club] has resulted in a stunning outcome and is testament to us doing our best to meet this objective.’’
In granting consent, the fast-track panel says the development will contribute to the social and economic wellbeing of residents and the community.
It’ll employ 540 full-time equivalent workers during the design, building and operation stages and ultimately provide worker accommodation ‘‘where there is currently a significant shortage in housing and accommodation to meet this need’’, the panel says.
It also considers the project may free up other housing for residents.
