The process marks the first and possibly only time the public can formally offer their verdict on McDonald’s Restaurants (NZ) Ltd’s controversial plans to open a restaurant in the resort town.
Those interested in making a submission will have 20 working days from Friday to do so, a Queenstown Lakes District Council spokesman confirmed yesterday.
The prospect of a McDonald’s in Wānaka proved divisive when plans were first unveiled last November.
An online petition calling for the plans to be scrapped has garnered more than 5500 signatures.
The original application included plans for a 445sq m restaurant and drive-through that would operate around the clock.
The application was put on hold on November 30, at the request of the applicant, after a council planner requested more information on matters including environmental management plans, earthworks, removal of vegetation, site fencing and urban design.
McDonald’s provided the planner with the requested information shortly afterwards, but the application remained on hold until earlier this month.
McDonald’s is eyeing a 2026 opening for the restaurant, according to a decision published by the Overseas Investment Office in April approving the purchase of a parcel of land on the corner of State Highways 6 and 84.
