Melview (Kawarau Falls Station) Development Ltd (In Receivership) applied for land use resource consent to change the Lakeside West building, on the station property, from residential use to visitor accommodation, this month.
Consequently, the company also sought consent to sell liquor from a combined bar and restaurant, which would form part of the visitor accommodation activity on the waterfront site.
The block named Lakeside West includes 42 fully-contained units on four floors. Each unit consists of one or two bedrooms with separate lounge and kitchen areas, and outdoor living areas.
No alterations to the external appearance of Lakeside West, or internal design and layout of the rooms were proposed. The change of use would be consistent with the station's character and would not adversely affect its neighbours, the application stated.
"The bar and restaurant will add to the overall amenity of the Kawarau Falls site by providing a centralised facility for the use and enjoyment of visitors to the site," the application stated.
"The effects of the sale of liquor will be contained internally within the Kawarau Falls site and visitor accommodation staff will control the sale of liquor ... Accordingly, it is not considered necessary to limit the hours of operation."
While the bar and restaurant is in both a covered and uncovered deck southwest corner of Lakeside West, next to the Wakatipu Steps, a site southeast of the building had been set aside for a "general store/fresh foods" store, the application added.
A second consent application by Melview (Kawarau Falls Station) Development Ltd (In Receivership) explained the proposed 120sq m store would be created for the convenience of guests and residents, "and to a lesser extent, people working there."
Liquor was proposed to be retailed. The ground floor shop would be accessed by internal roads and footpaths and serviced by a parking area which already had consent.
"As final tenants have not been confirmed, the final details of proposed signage are not yet available," the application stated.
"No signage is proposed on Peninsula Rd to advertise the store existing within the Kawarau Falls site. Any signage would be addressed in future applications, if required."
No additional earthworks were required and the applicant described the creation of extra jobs at the retail store as a "positive effect."
Up to six buildings have been constructed on stage one of the development and are nearing completion.
Lakes Environmental received the application to change use on September 8 and the application to establish a commercial retail store on September 15. Both are being assessed.
