Resort hailed as biggest project since Clyde Dam

August 2, 2007 - Business Day

A resort development worth several hundred million dollars is being hailed as one of the largest projects in Central Otago since the Clyde Dam, commissioned in 1993.

Melview Developments, the company behind Queenstown's $1 billion Kawarau Falls Station development, said yesterday that it had sought a change to the Central Otago district plan for the McArthur Ridge development near Alexandra.

Set on a 821-hectare property in the Alexandra basin, the planned development includes a health spa, a conference centre, a low-rise, five star lodge, houses and an 18 -hole golf course designed by former Kiwi golf professional Greg Turner.

Based on land prices and the cost of development, the price tag could top $400 million.

More than 200ha of the property, known as the McArthur Ridge Estate, is being developed as vineyards and vineyard lots, on which houses can be built.

Robin Schulz, a Christchurch based director of Melview's joint-venture partner, Central Otago Pinot Noir Estate, said the proposed resort would bring immense employment and investment opportunities to the area.

"This area's undergone a significant rejuvenation over recent years, with the rail trail being a major catalyst.

"The area's now been discovered," Mr Schulz said.

Melview managing director Nigel McKenna said the region had enormous potential as a tourism destination for New Zealand and international visitors.

Central Otago Mayor Malcolm Macpherson said it was hard not to be excited.

"People are looking at this part of Central Otago from a different perspective and imagining things they never have before McArthur Ridge came along" he said.

Mr Schulz said the plans had been well received by the community and, if the proposal was approved, he envisaged work starting in 2009, with the development taking 10 years.

Central Otago District Council's planning and environment manager Louise Van der Voort confirmed the plan change was lodged yesterday.

If the Council accepted the change, a publicly notified hearing would be held, she said.