Media Release from Shotover Park Ltd

3 September 2012
Environment Court gives ‘green light’ to roundabout, new access road

Work on a dangerous Queenstown traffic intersection and new roading has been given the green light following an Environment Court decision.

Environment Court Judge Borthwick granted consent on August 24 for two roading NOR’s (Notice of Requirement).

The first is for a roundabout at the intersection of the proposed Eastern Access Road and State Highway 6, for a modified layout to the existing intersection of Glenda Drive and SH6, and for a proposed path/cycleway along the south side of SH6.

The second NOR relates to a second new roundabout on the Eastern Access Road at its intersection with a new ‘Road 2’, and Road 2 itself which will extend from that roundabout to an intersection with Glenda Drive in the Shotover Park industrial area.

On 2 August 2012, Shotover Park Limited submitted a joint memorandum to the Environment Court asking for the roading NORs to be detached from Plan Change decisions relating to Frankton flats planning.

On August 24 Judge Borthwick said the Environment Court did not see any compelling reason to delay the release of the two NORs (Notice of Requirement) until after Plan Change 19, a decision welcomed by Shotover Park Ltd co-director Alastair Porter.

“We are delighted. This will enable work to start sooner rather than later on a very dangerous SH6 Glenda Drive intersection which has been the site of numerous accidents in recent years,” he said.

“There are multiple benefits to changing that intersection and establishing an alternative roundabout and access for all existing businesses in Shotover Park and Frankton Industrial areas.

“Business is growing in that area so the need for safe access is essential.

“A new roundabout will help slow traffic down on the state highway, and provide access to the new, recently-approved Mitre 10 Mega and of course the much-anticipated PAK’nSAVE supermarket.

“The continuation of the new Eastern Access Road will provide easy access to the Remarkables Park Town Centre for all shoppers, and a good alternative route to Queenstown Airport, making it one of the most important arterial roads in Queenstown.

“We’ve offered in the past to ‘forward fund’ this roundabout to help take financial pressure off the New Zealand Transport Agency because we know how much our community wants this to happen.

“Not only will it considerably reduce the risk of future accidents, but it means that economic development can move forward in the district.”

Mitre 10 Mega developer Acton Smith said recently it was important that the Shotover Park location for their new store would be easily accessed from State Highway 6, both from the existing Glenda Drive where many trade customers were based and the proposed SH6 Eastern Access Road.

“We will need easy access for large goods delivery truck access and easy, close access for on-loading of frequently heavy or bulky goods to customer trucks, utilities and cars,” he said.

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