Council seeking marina developer

From today the Queenstown Lakes District Council will advertise nationally for a developer to take on the Frankton Marina and Reserve development on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, QLDC chief executive Duncan Field said.

In 2006 the Council entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with a potential marina developer, Queenstown Marina Developments Ltd. The developer was unable to meet the conditions contained in the Memorandum of Understanding, despite applying considerable resources and despite the Council extending the agreed deadline on several occasions.

Land use resource consents were issued by the Council and the Otago Regional Council to Queenstown Marina Developments, last year.

These were under appeal to the Environment Court although most issues had been resolved.

Given the time that had passed since this project commenced the Council had reached the view that it needed to refresh its mandate.

“To that end it will invite fresh ‘expressions of interest’,” Mr Field said.

Whilst the Council was very happy to consider a new approach from Queenstown Marina Developments, it also welcomed new proposals.

“It is a very significant and important development and we are sorry we have not been able to progress the current relationship further with Queenstown Marina Developments, despite the best efforts of both parties,” Mr Field said.

The Council had now terminated the Memorandum of Understanding in accordance with the relevant conditions.

New Expressions of Interest would be called for nationally. The Council was looking for the development of a staged, 200-berth, offshore marina and onshore support facilities such as buildings and carparks at the Frankton Marina Reserve, Lake Wakatipu.

“We anticipate some strong interest, this is an opportunity for an experienced marina developer to be involved in a premier destination resort,” Mr Field said.

Indications were that there was an unrealised demand for quality marina facilities in the district.
“We think there is a real opportunity there to achieve something very special,” Mr Field said.