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QUEENSTOWN GOLF RESORT WANTS RESTRICTIONS RELAXED

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September, 2018

One of the countrys largest golf resorts has called for visitor
accommodation restrictions proposed for homeowners on its land to be
relaxed.
Millbrook Resort, in Arrowtown, made eight submissions to stage 2 of
Queenstown Lakes District Councils proposed district plan (PDP),
including the most recent set to a hearing panel in Queenstown this
week.
It submitted to the panel that homes in the resort should be allowed to
be used for visitor accommodation for up to 179 nights per year instead
of the councils proposed 28-night limit.
Ben OMalley, director of property and development at Millbrook, said
the resort was "very insular" and that about 15% of people staying there
were permanent residents.
The resort sought the 179 nights per annum limit, with no restrictions
on the number of lets allowed, due to this timeframe working well with
the majority of homeowners at Millbrook who normally use their
properties part-time. Planner John Edmonds said reducing restrictions
would fit in with the zones objective of "providing a visitor resort of
high quality".
The resort has a range of facilities, including restaurants, hotel and
guest accommodation, 27 holes of golf and another nine being built, and
other sport and recreational facilities. Millbrook was granted resource
consent in 2013 for 150 parcels of land to be used for visitor
accommodation for up to 179 days per year, which the company
continues to act on.
A report by council officers suggested all zones should be allowed more
than the 28 days proposed and concluded that a 42-day limit should be
adopted.Mr Edmonds said the report includes "no explanation why this
number has been chosen".
Millbrooks other submissions included that restrictions proposed for the
resorts residential, village, resort services, and landscape protection
areas be amended to allow a higher volume of earthworks, as well as an
exemption from earthworks restrictions in the golf course and open
space, recreation and helipad activity areas.
It also called for Coronet Forest to be included in the "passive
recreation zone" and the 3ha Millbrook Park to remain part of the
Millbrook resort zone instead of being in the "active sport and
recreation zone", which allows sport facilities and associated buildings
or structures to be built.
Mr Edmonds said the proposed zoning of the park could lead to buildings
and activities that are "inconsistent and at odds with the underlying
Millbrook zoning".
It opposed submissions from other parties around the resort at an
earlier hearing, aiming to stop or limit the possibility of "inappropriate
developments" on its boundaries.
Source: Otago Daily Times