Licenced premises owners say central Queenstown's daytime and night-time noise limits should be less restrictive in line with other centres.
Queenstown has one of the lowest noise levels for a town centre in New Zealand and the Queenstown Lakes District Council restriction was unworkable, say eight companies representing 11 bars in one submission and from Good Group Ltd and Westwood Group Holdings Ltd in another submission on the council's draft town centre strategy.
Lakes Consulting Group's submission for the 11 bars said the existing ambient noise level was louder than the daytime limit of 65dBA L10 and night-time limit of up to 70dBA L10, from 10pm.
The submission compared Queenstown limits with Auckland's, of up to 65dBA L10, and Wellington's limit of up to 85dBA Lmax.
Bar operators submitted there was "clear conflict" between residential and visitor accommodation in the town centre, which had severely compromised the commercial activities of many licensed premises.
The group called for amendments to the district plan as "a high-priority".
Southern Planning Group, on behalf of Good Group and Westwood, said Queenstown's night life was one of the reasons people visited the town centre.
The existing noise limits unnecessarily restricted cafe, restaurant and bar operators.
Another 11 submissions were received last week by the council, taking the total number to 34.
An increase in allowable noise was backed by noise and environmental consultancy Malcolm Hunt Associates on behalf of Good Group and Westwood.
The consultants recommended a night-time noise limit of 45dBA L10 within residential zone sites.
Acoustic insulation of buildings containing noise-sensitive activities should become mandatory, the submission stated.
The Brecon and Duke Sts area would be perfect for an outdoor dining precinct such as Sol Sq, Christchurch, and Vulcan Lane, in Auckland, Queenstown resident Lynley Wood submitted.
Community guides should become a permanent fixture on town centre streets, Arrowtown resident Angela Dolan submitted.
The co-operative scheme between guides and police to curbing alcohol-related antisocial behaviour was successful last year and would be the foundation of greater co-operation from licensees, she said.
Man St property owner Maximum Mojo Holdings Ltd recommended the town centre zone be expanded towards Man St and cover the area bounded by Man, Hay and Isle Sts and Robins Rd.
Rezoning the Man St area as the town centre would help attract another Sofitel-type development, but setbacks, height and retail activity issues would need to be addressed, Maximum director James Macalister submitted.
Brecon St property owner Noel Jackson supported a town centre zone expansion to the Robins Rd triangle and Brecon St areas, as well as all land within the Man, Hay, Isle and Brecon Sts block.
The directors of 5 Shotover Street Ltd, Kelso Investments Ltd supported the town centre zone being expanded in the Robins Rd triangle.
Most of the once residential buildings were now used commercially and the "visual contribution" to the northeastern entrance to town was "not high".
Half of Athol St should be devoted to taxis and all bus services and half to a public park, complete with access from Stanley St, information centre and a transparent roof, Queenstown resident Michael Brabant submitted.
Most inner-town parking should be loading zone or limited to 15 minutes and motorists should be required to use Man and Church Sts parking, as well as Stanley St in the medium term.
Megan and Martin James, of Queenstown, and restaurateurs Jan Rae-Robertson and Alex Boyes thought the Brecon and Duke Sts area ideal for improved shared space between pedestrians and traffic, in two submissions.
The area had a "confused identity" with pedestrians wandering in the middle of the one-way street.
Skyline Enterprises asked the council to consider removing the 8m height restriction on the Thomas' Hotel.
The 43-year-old building is 12.5m high and exceeds the partially operative district plan limit by 4.5m.
The site has existing use rights under the Resource Management Act to allow a replacement building to be constructed within the envelope of the hotel.
Skyline said the minimum floor level standard in the plan should be dropped as it was inadequate to protect against major floods.
Cow Lane needed an upgrade to be a pedestrian-friendly thoroughfare.
A plan change was encouraged to provide more comprehensive and sophisticated mechanisms to manage noise effects.
CCS Disability Action Southern submitted it was vital the needs of residents with disabilities were recognised in town planning.
Senior policy analyst Ralph Henderson told the Queenstown Times that council staff would make a brief assessment of the submissions and the working party would determine whether it feels more targeted consultation was necessary or appropriate.
"The working party will consider the submissions received and whether any further investigations or information is required to address concerns or prepare recommendations.
"After this, and depending on the results of the working party's deliberations, a revised strategy will be drafted for consideration and adoption by the strategy committee."
