Tekapo is moving ahead with a major new hotel development planned for the town.

Tekapo Lake Resort Limited has bought part of some council-owned surplus land, between State Highway 8 and Lakeside Drive, where it plans to build a five-star resort with no less than 110 units.

Tekapo Lake Resort company director Anthony Tosswill says the resort will be developed in two stages and will include about 300 beds, a conference centre, restaurant, gym, sauna, lap pool, shop, hire centre and other facilities. He plans to begin work next year, subject to gaining resource consent.

Worker accommodation to support this and other new developments in Tekapo has been recognised as an issue for the town. To help address this, an associated company is aquiring privately-owned land on Aorangi Drive opposite the Tekapo Community Centre. Mr Tosswill has applied for resource consent to build 52 accommodation units on this site. The same development will also cater for tourist bus accommodation. He says the start date for this site will be October, also subject to gaining resource consent.

Mr Tosswill is a New Zealander who currently lives in Malaysia. He plans to return to this country and live in Tekapo. “I aim to retire there and reside there permanently, and would be glad to obtain input into the development from both the community and the community board. I also intend to provide further services that will allow Tekapo to be a destination rather than a place tourists pass through. Tekapo is unique and has a lot to offer,” he says.

Mackenzie District Mayor Claire Barlow says she has received feedback from the tourism industry that Tekapo needs more accommodation options, and the number of visitors to the Mackenzie district is steadily increasing.

“This new development will help to meet that need. The council will work with Mr Tosswill and Tekapo Lake Resort throughout the coming months to approve the concept plans and ensure that the new buildings meet the requirements of the district plan.

“This is an exciting time for Tekapo with a lot of changes on the horizon. We have listened to the feedback provided by the community at the two public meetings held earlier this year and we are considering all of this as we move forward.”

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