Developer defends reviving controversial Arrowtown Ridgeburn housing project
Developer Ridgeburn Ltd is defending its revised housing project near Arrowtown after previously withdrawing its application due to information gaps. The developer has addressed community concerns regarding wastewater disposal and emphasizes the project's role in alleviating the region's housing shortage.
Why it matters
The project highlights the tension between the urgent need for housing development and environmental/infrastructure concerns in high-growth tourist regions.
Queenstown Smart Growth Initiative spokeswoman Hanna Pettit says her group wants to challenge claims made about the proposed Ridgeburn development. Photo / RNZ, Katie Todd
By RNZ Digital reporters, RNZ Morning Report
The developer behind a controversial housing project near Arrowtown is defending a revised Fast-track application and says more housing is needed in the area.
Ridgeburn Ltd was offering interest-free deposit loans for first-home buyers and an extra $27 million for road upgrades and bus infrastructure near its proposed 1210-house development and commercial precinct.
The project had been criticised by locals, who argued it was the wrong project in the wrong place, with the potential to choke roads, hurt regional tourism and bypass years of careful district council planning.
The developers temporarily withdrew their application in July after councils highlighted “significant information gaps” and Fast-track panel convenor Jane Borthwick concluded it was not ready to be assessed.
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