Project referred to expert consenting panel
1 Name of project
The name of the project is the Wooing Tree Estate (the project).
2 Authorised person
The authorised person for the project is Wooing Tree Property Development LP.
3 Description of project
(1)
The scope of the project is—
(a)
to subdivide land and construct a staged subdivision of up to 284 lots, including up to 276 residential lots; and
(b)
to construct approximately 46 residential units; and
(c)
to construct the associated infrastructure for the subdivision, including roading, parking, pedestrian and cycling connections, three waters services, and the development of open space; and
(d)
to construct and operate a hospitality and neighbourhood centre, a cellar door facility for Wooing Tree Vineyard, and accommodation for travellers, and to provide the associated infrastructure.
(2)
In this clause, three waters services has the meaning given in section 9 of the Urban Development Act 2020.
4 Description of activities involved in project
(1)
The project involves works such as the following:
(a)
the subdivision of land and construction of buildings:
(b)
earthworks (including bulk earthworks):
(c)
discharges associated with earthworks and construction activities:
(d)
landscaping, including planting:
(e)
works to clear existing vegetation:
(f)
works to construct pedestrian and vehicular access, roading, parking, and other transport infrastructure required for the development:
(g)
works to construct three waters services and upgrade existing three waters services:
(h)
any other works that are—
(i)
associated with the works described in paragraphs (a) to (g); and
(ii)
within the scope of the project as described in clause 3 of this schedule.
(2)
In this clause, three waters services has the meaning given in section 9 of the Urban Development Act 2020.
5 Approximate geographical location
The project’s works will occur at Wooing Tree Estate, 64 Shortcut Road, corner of State Highway 6 and State Highway 8B, Cromwell, Otago (legal description Section 3 Survey Office Plan 461514, held on Record of Title 684261).
6 Persons who must be invited to comment on project
An expert consenting panel must invite comments on any consent application relating to the project from the New Zealand Transport Agency in addition to the persons listed in clause 17(6) of Schedule 6 of the Act.
7 No further provision required
No further provision is necessary to give effect to decisions made by the Minister under section 24 of the Act in respect of the project.
Statement of reasons
This statement of reasons is published for the purposes of clause 4 of Schedule 3 of the Act
Having considered the application against the criteria in the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act 2020 (the Act) and the Act’s purpose, and having sought and considered written comments from the relevant Ministers, relevant local authorities, and the New Zealand Transport Agency, the Minister for the Environment has accepted this application for referral for the following reasons:
the project will help to achieve the purpose of the Act; and
the project offers the opportunity for up to 650 full-time equivalent jobs and for additional permanent jobs through commercial activities; and
the project will provide economic benefits to those in the Central Otago area and to the viticulture and construction industries, which have been affected by COVID-19; and
the project will increase housing supply in an area experiencing rapid population change and housing shortages; and
the project will contribute to a well-functioning urban environment, given its location close to the Cromwell town centre and within an area identified in the Cromwell Spatial Plan as being suitable for residential intensification; and
the project will enable construction to occur sooner than would otherwise be the case under the standard processes of the Resource Management Act 1991; and
any adverse effects arising from the activities that are to occur under the project and potential mitigation measures can be tested by an expert consenting panel, having regard to Part 2 of the Resource Management Act 1991 and the purpose of the Act.