The fast-track panel has approved up to 300 workers’ accommodation units for the $280million Silverlight Studios development near Wanaka.
But using the buildings for visitor accommodation was "not appropriate as part of the film studios project" and could create a resort-style destination attracting large numbers of winter and summer visitors, the panel said .
"The [Silverlight] site would potentially become a destination in itself, with a high degree of self-sufficiency, functioning like a resort. That would be in marked contrast to the film production and educational character of the site that was considered appropriate and approved as part of the film studios project," the panel said.
The panel of four was chaired by Auckland resource management expert Heather Ash.
Their decision was released by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) yesterday.
Silverlight Studios spokesman Mike Wallis said he received the consent at lunchtime.
"It has been a massive effort from a massive team," he said.
He hoped to make a celebratory call to his two Kiwi business partners, he said.
The visitor accommodation issue would not hold him back from working on the next phase of the project, but it was too soon to comment on what it meant, he said.
"It is important to mitigate Wanaka’s accommodation concern ... We are actually thrilled," he said of the result.
The next phase included refining detailed designs, information technology and infrastructure.
"That’s the main focus, planning, a contracting programme, setting deadlines, scheduling. Getting the job done," Mr Wallis said.
The wider film studio complex received fast-track consent on December 8.
Opposers of visitor accommodation included the Mt Barker Residents and Ratepayers Association, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and the Queenstown Lakes District Council.
The council said short-term visitor accommodation would not significantly benefit housing supply.
It was inconsistent with the rural zone and the council’s spatial plan and unrelated to the primary use of the site, as a film production business, the submitters said.
A worker accommodation component was complementary to the "unique and unprecedented" project and would assist in mitigating adverse effects on Wanaka’s housing and rental market, the panel said.
It would be inappropriate to decline it, given the purpose of fast-track law to "urgently promote employment", among other things.
Silverlight Studios Ltd applied for consent under the Covid-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act 2020.
It took 64 days to process.
Consents and conditions are available on the Environmental Protection Authority website.
Silverlight workers' accommodation
- Film studios must be built first
- Up to 300 units/314 bedrooms
- Units provided in 2027, 2029 and 2030
- Housing 20% to 30% of estimated workforce
- No visitor accommodation
