Frankton Flats Decision

The 300-page Environment Court interim decision on Plan Change 19, Frankton Flats was released to all parties this week, Queenstown Lakes District Council general manager Philip Pannett said.

“The decision establishes the general direction of how the Frankton Flats area will develop from its present greenfields, largely rural state, to a fully integrated urban area in the future,” Mr Pannett said.

The Interim decision largely confirmed the structure plan contained in the Council decision on Plan Change 19. That decision was released in 2009 and then appealed by nine parties to the Environment Court.

“The structure plan sets out the arrangement of a number of different urban uses to both meet the future demand for such activities and to ensure a well-designed, integrated urban area where the various activities relate well to each other.

These activities include:

· Open space area adjacent to State Highway 6.

· Town Centre type retail adjacent to the already zoned Frankton Flats A zone (the “hole”).

· Industrial area adjacent to Glenda Drive.

· Residential Neighbourhood adjacent to the Retail Town Centre area.

· Mixed Use area providing for light industrial, showrooms, offices and mid-sized retail. This area also provides for residential above ground level. This area will sleeve both sides of the new Eastern Access Road which will connect State Highway 6 around the airport runway to Remarkables Park.

· Yard-based industrial activities in the area closest to the Airport runway.

The interim decision also dealt with significant issues such as: the Eastern Access Road; various forms of retail; maximum heights and view shafts (particularly to protect views of the Remarkables from State Highway 6); affordable housing; Queenstown Airport (protecting its future operation); traffic, pedestrian, cycle; three waters servicing.

“The interim decision makes major findings on the future demand for retail in the wider Queenstown area and the Court’s directions ensure sufficient areas are available for retail developments both in existing areas (such as Queenstown Town Centre, Remarkables Park and Frankton Flats) as well as areas within the Plan Change 19 area,” Mr Pannett said.

ENDS

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