Statistics New Zealand released population projections on Monday, which predicted an extra 17,400 people would be residing in the district by 2031, increasing until that time at a rate of 2.2% per annum. The district's population was 24,100 in 2006.
Queenstown Lakes Mayor Vanessa van Uden said a large population boom had been "something this council has been planning for" and she viewed the news as positive.
A purpose of the district plan, which is under review, was to identify where the future growth areas were, she said.
As well as housing, the community needed to have infrastructure such as wastewater disposal and roading and the council was installing the infrastructure "just in time", so there would not be any excess or lack of it, Ms van Uden said.
On Monday, Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust chairman David Sole said providing affordable housing was expected to be a "continued and ongoing challenge".
Queenstown businessman Alastair Porter, speaking as managing director of the Porter Group, said the projections were a reason why the council should be supporting proposed developments such as the Pak'n Save supermarket and Mitre Ten Mega hardware store.
Council acting chief executive Stewart Burns said for more than a decade the council had recognised it needed to be "ahead of the game" in understanding growth.
The council's own forecasting had indicated a 21.2% increase in population by 2021 and the council had also planned for "peak-day" populations at times such as New Year's Eve, Mr Burns said.
The council projected a peak-day population of about 90,000 in 2012, rising to 108,970 in 2021.
"We have had to ensure that we have the infrastructure to cater to not only a growing resident population but also the fluctuating visitor factor," Mr Burns said.
QLDC policy planning general manager Philip Pannett said dwelling capacity models were available on the council's website, and these would be updated if Shotover Country and the Frankton Flats were rezoned.
