Ayrburn asking to host larger events seven times a year

A growing hospitality precinct on the edge of Arrowtown is pitching to host larger scale events up to seven times a year.

Ayrburn opened the doors on its first food and beverage outlets in December, and now an application has been made to the Queenstown Lakes District Council for a resource consent to allow some extra gatherings to be thrown in the mix too.

Proposed are temporary events, catering for up to 3,000 people at 'the Dell', a terraced and grassed outdoor oval adjacent to The Woolshed, The Burr Bar and The Manure Room, all existing eateries or bars.

Up to seven concerts or similar events, catering for up to 3,000 people, at 'the Dell'.

According to the application, amplified sound at any event would be limited to between midday and 8pm, and transport plans would be put in place that include event shuttles to get people to and from the venue with as little disruption as possible to other road users.

The events are "likely to be, albeit not limited to, concerts", the application says.

The space being considered is big enough to accommodate a 1,477 square metre dance area, two VIP areas of 1,334 square metres, and a back of house area of 1,505 square metres, and additional space for toilets and food vendors.

Ayrburn is located in Waterfall Park on Arrowtown-Lakes Hayes Road and has been developed by Chris Meehan of Winton.

It contains heritage-listed buildings from the original farm that was located at the site.

An existing resource consent already allows for up to a dozen smaller events of up to 500 people at Ayrburn throughout the year, but the latest application says there is further "unmet" demand for events in the Queenstown area.

"APL (Ayrburn Precinct Limited) are aware that existing large scale event venues in QLD (that have operated events in the past) are regularly approached with requests to host music concerts and other large events, but these requests often need to be turned down," the application says.

"When this happens, venues (and communities) miss out on the benefits of hosting an event. Those economic and social opportunity costs can be widespread.

An economic report included with Ayrburn's application suggests a sold-out one-day event could inject between $400,000 and $800,000 of net additional spending in the district by visitors and event organisers.

"The spending would be directed at a wide range of industries within the local economy and will subsequently benefit upstream suppliers of goods and services as well as local household incomes," it says.

The consent is publicly notified and a submission period closes on Wednesday, October 23.

Main image: 'The Dell' is an outdoor space within the new Ayrburn precinct, tucked in behind The Woolshed restaurant.