The 10-year Frankton Flats Zone development battle could end this week when a decision on the proposal goes before the Environmental Court in Queenstown.
The hearing on Plan Change 19 concerns rezoning the Frankton Flats to allow for educational, residential, commercial, industrial, business, visitor accommodation and recreational activities.
The plan change comes after a decade of developer plans, council hearings and public submissions over how the 69ha of land should be developed.
Shotover Park Ltd has owned the land for 15 years and consultation over the site between the landowners and council began as early as 2001.
Developers have plans worth $100 million that would rival some of the largest retail centres in New Zealand, such as Auckland's Sylvia Park and Christchurch's Riccarton Mall.
This week the Queenstown Lakes District Council presented a report on the rezoning to Judge Jane Borthwick, of Christchurch, and commissioners David Bunting and Ross Dunlop.
The report said the zone was one of the few Queenstown areas left that could be used for affordable housing and have significant economic and social benefits for the district.
In response to a "range and breadth of submissions seeking changes" to landscape and urban design concerns as well as a debate on retailing, the council outlined 14 plan change objectives, including incorporating and enhancing "visual amenity", creating a high quality urban environment and preserving views to the mountains.
