A proposal to sell South American pasties from a kiosk attached to a new public toilet block on Earnslaw Park in central Queenstown has drawn overwhelming support from Queenstown, if submissions to Queenstown Lakes District Council are anything to go by.
Construction of the toilets is under way. In November the council asked for proposals for a business wanting to operate from the 3sq m kiosk space and the proposal from the Empanada Kitchen was the only one received.
Submissions on the council's intention to grant a lease to the Empanada Kitchen closed on Friday and 61 submissions were received, with four in opposition and 57 in support of the pastie venture.
Comments ranging from the suggestion it would be ''inappropriate'' for a food outlet to operate from a public toilet building to the pastie business being ''the perfect complement to Earnslaw Park'' were received but overall, submitters supported the proposal.
Many said with the resort relying heavily on the tourism market it was vital to keep commercial zones vibrant and exciting.
Comments were also made that the South American pastie kiosk would be an opportunity to reflect the diversity of the community.
Support was received from Queenstown businesses, including those which sell food in the surrounding area.
On March 26, at 9am, councillors Lex Perkins and Jude Battson will consider the submissions. Anyone wishing to be heard can do so at the Queenstown Lakes District Council chambers.
