Landscape insights*

“The site is one of the worst locations in the basin for remoteness to services and would be another development that further stretches our existing fragile networks.

Residents would need to drive everywhere and any eco-gains from the gondola would be offset substantially by trying to heat shaded homes and dispose of effluent.

Instead of developing a damp, cold site in the upper catchment of Lake Hayes, we should be intensifying the existing urban areas with density next to existing service hubs.”

- Bruce McLeod, Aurum Survey Consultants

“It appears that the scale of the Coronet Village development would be contrary to the key relevant landscape-related objectives and policies of the Operative and Proposed District Plans.

These objectives and policies are in place so the amenity values (or quality) of the environment are maintained or enhanced by any development. From the information that has been made public, it appears that Coronet Village does not avoid, remedy or mitigate adverse effects of activities on the environment, and does not maintain or enhance the landscape character.”

Click here to view Paddy’s high-level landscape assessment in its entirety.

- Paddy Baxter, Baxter Design

*In addition to this, MVPS has also conducted its own research into QLDC’s District Plan and hazard maps. This research indicates deep-seated landslides and alluvial fan risk in the immediate area of the proposed village. There are many other areas in the Whakatipu basin without such natural hazards that MVPS believes would be far better for development. The land is also located far from the defined Urban Growth areas that have been put in place to control the location of development throughout the district, avoiding areas simply not suitable for intense urban land uses.

Enivronmental insights

“Over the last 60-plus years development activities within the Lake Hayes catchment have mobilised nutrient rich sediments into Lake Hayes. This has promoted algal blooms and a decline in water quality.

Concern for the health of the lake has resulted in significant catchment remedial work designed to reduce sediment loads in waterways and starve the lake of nutrients. The proposed Coronet Village development and resultant discharge of wastewater from 780 houses presents a considerable risk to Lake Hayes. The sensitivity of the lake cannot be overstated. A Fast-Track process that promotes economic activity ahead of environmental protection could simply exacerbate the poor catchment decisions of the past and undo the hard work and investments made by the local community to restore the water quality of Lake Hayes.”

- Glenn Davis, E3 Scientific

“Mana Tāhuna has worked hard the last 4 years to restore and protect our precious taonga in the Wai Whakaata catchment. We have had no involvement or engagement from the developers proposing the subdivision in Dalefield. Our view is any future development in our rohe, especially Wai Whakaata, must not be at the expense of our whenua.”

- Mana Tāhuna Charitable Trust

Tourism insights

In addition to the impacts on infrastructure and waterways, there is major concern about the effects on the quality of the night skies of Malaghans Valley and Coronet Peak.

Simon Williams has developed and runs the AuthenticAs Starry Night Adventure - a tour that combines stargazing and astrophotography, based in Queenstown. He has major concerns about the impact Coronet Village and other fast track developments within Queenstown will have on our Dark Sky Environment. 

If we’re talking tourism and conservation, Tourism New Zealand have recently launched an international Stargrazing campaign to boost off peak tourism. This is based on consumer insight that New Zealand’s dark sky offering is increasingly important to 70% of potential off-peak visitors. Every true environmental regeneration project has preservation of Dark Skies as a fundamental cornerstone, it’s a key component of increasing and supporting biodiversity.

The dark sky corridor that exists between Arthurs Point and Arrowtown is world class. What makes it even more special is its close proximity to a worldwide tourism mecca. A little bit of light goes a very long way. The slopes of Pā Hā Raki (Coronet Peak) are easily accessible by locals  and visitors alike, and incredibly popular when the Aurora Australis graces our skies. The nature of Mallaghans Valley is that from the Valley floor the surrounding geography shields you from the ever increasing light of Frankton, Shotover Country, Hanleys Farm, & the CBD, making the experience of the dark sky even more awe inspiring than higher up.

“If Coronet Village is approved and there is a village in the valley and a restaurant at the top, my concern is this incredible taonga will be lost forever,” says Mr Williams.

- Simon Williams, AuthenticAs (photography guided tours)